By Yange Ikyaa
Niger Basin Authority (NBA) member countries have been called upon to sign the Framework Agreement on the Common Basket Fund by November 15, 2026 and expedite the necessary documentation in order to access available resources from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) from November 2026.
Leading this call are the Federal Government of Nigeria and the NBA, who consider this step as necessary for accelerated implementation of development projects, sustainable financing, stronger regional cooperation and improved water resource management. This, they say, will enable governments within the NBA watershed to access the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Fund from early 2027 and make it possible to improve the livelihoods of more than 200 million people who live within the Niger Basin.
The latest 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.
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 the end of June 2026, while its commitment rate increased from 49 per cent to nearly 60 per cent over the same period.
He attributed the progress to ongoing institutional reforms and improved programme management, while emphasising that the 2027 work plans must prioritise accelerated implementation, adequate maintenance arrangements and the consolidation of achievements ahead of the programme’s closure.
The executive secretary also highlighted progress in institutional governance, including the adoption of the NBA Strategic Plan and Operational Plan for 2026–2030, the implementation of revised administrative, financial and procurement procedures, and measures to strengthen staffing and operational efficiency.
Other areas of progress include the modernisation and digitalisation of the authority’s information systems relating to water and the environment, as well as ongoing efforts to operationalise the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Fund for the Niger Basin from early 2027 to support more sustainable financing of the institution’s activities.
He reaffirmed the NBA’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with the African Development Bank Group, the European Union, the World Bank Group, climate finance institutions, the private sector and the research community, while deepening cooperation with the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
Earlier, at the closing session of the workshop for national coordinating units, the national focal structure of the NBA and Lake Chad Basin Commission’s focal point (LCBC) in Nigeria, Mr. Umezulike Robert, speaking on behalf of Nigeria’s minister of water resources and sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, commended the NBA leadership, member countries and development partners for their contributions to the success of the meetings.
He observed that the ten-day engagements provided a valuable platform for sharing experiences, identifying implementation challenges and developing practical solutions to improve the delivery of PIDACC/NB sub-projects and infrastructure projects across member countries.
He also expressed confidence that the knowledge gained and recommendations adopted during the workshops would translate into improved project implementation, stronger institutional performance and better outcomes for communities across the Basin.
Utsev urged participants to apply the lessons learnt in their respective countries, stressing that sustained regional cooperation, effective project delivery and the maintenance of completed infrastructure were essential to achieving the shared development objectives of the NBA.
The meetings, which covered hydrodiplomacy, gender inclusion, water security, climate adaptation, infrastructure development and programme implementation, reaffirmed the commitment of member states and partners to a common vision of sustainable development, peace and prosperity across the Niger Basin.
