NewzThe Federal Government of Nigeria and the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) have called for accelerated implementation of development projects, sustainable financing, stronger regional cooperation and improved water resources management to enhance the livelihoods of over 200 million people living in the Niger Basin. The call was made at the conclusion of a series of regional meetings organised by the NBA in Abuja from September 28 to October 9, 2026, which brought together representatives of the nine NBA member countries, users of natural resources, technical and financial partners, and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening cooperation and accelerating sustainable development across the Basin. Speaking at a press conference to mark the conclusion of the meetings on Friday, October 9, 2026, the Executive Secretary of the NBA, Mr.
Kocou Armand Houanye, emphasised the need to fast-track the implementation of ongoing projects, complete multipurpose water infrastructure, strengthen institutional governance and ensure the sustainability of project outcomes. Houanye noted that hydrodiplomacy, youth and women’s participation, climate change adaptation, programme management and the development of transboundary water infrastructure were critical to achieving sustainable development and regional stability. He stressed the need to reduce the vulnerability of young people across the Basin, noting that more than 80 per cent of jobs in the region are connected to water resources.
He therefore called for investments that would create economic opportunities, strengthen resilience and improve livelihoods. The Executive Secretary described the Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Niger Basin (PIDACC/NB) as entering a decisive phase, urging member countries to accelerate the implementation of outstanding infrastructure projects, release counterpart funds and improve the processing of project requests. He further called on the countries concerned to sign the Framework Agreement on the Common Basket Fund by November 15, 2026, and expedite the necessary documentation to access available Global Environment Facility (GEF) resources, with a view to facilitating access from November 2026.
Houanye disclosed that the physical implementation rate of PIDACC/NB improved from 37 per cent at the end of June 2025 to nearly 50 per cent at…
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