Niger Basin: NBA Urges Member States To Release Funds, Fast-Track Projects

The call followed a series of regional meetings organised by the NBA in Abuja from September 28 to October 9, 2026, involving representatives of its nine member countries, development partners and other stakeholders.

Speaking at a press conference to mark the conclusion of the meetings, the Executive Secretary of the NBA, Mr Kocou Armand Houanye, urged member countries to fast-track ongoing projects, complete multipurpose water infrastructure and strengthen institutional governance to ensure sustainable development across the basin.

Houanye stressed that hydrodiplomacy, climate change adaptation, youth and women’s participation, and improved management of transboundary water resources were essential to regional stability and economic growth.

He noted that more than 80 per cent of jobs in the region were connected to water resources, underscoring the need for investments that would create economic opportunities for young people, reduce vulnerability and strengthen community resilience.

On the Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Niger Basin (PIDACC/NB), the NBA executive secretary described the programme as entering a decisive phase, urging member countries to accelerate outstanding infrastructure projects, release counterpart funding and improve the processing of project requests.

He also called on the countries concerned to sign the Framework Agreement on the Common Basket Fund by November 15, 2026, and expedite documentation required to access available resources from the Global Environment Facility, with a view to facilitating access from November.

Houanye disclosed that the programme’s physical implementation rate increased from 37 per cent at the end of June 2025 to nearly 50 per cent by the end of June 2026.

Similarly, its commitment rate rose from 49 per cent to nearly 60 per cent within the same period.

He attributed the progress to institutional reforms and improved programme management but emphasised the need to sustain the momentum.

According to him, the 2027 work plans must prioritise faster project implementation, adequate maintenance arrangements and the consolidation of existing achievements ahead of the programme’s closure.

The NBA executive secretary also highlighted institutional reforms, including the adoption of the Authority’s Strategic Plan and Operational Plan for 2026–2030, revised administrative, financial and procurement procedures, and measures to improve staffing and operational efficiency.

He said efforts were also underway to modernise and digitise the Authority’s water and environmental information systems.

Houanye further disclosed that the NBA was working towards operationalising the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Fund for the Niger Basin in early 2027 to provide more sustainable financing for its activities.

He reaffirmed the Authority’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.

He also called for deeper cooperation with the Lake Chad Basin Commission to advance shared development priorities.

Earlier, at the closing session of the workshop for National Coordinating Units, the NBA’s National Focal Structure and the Lake Chad Basin Commission’s focal point in Nigeria, Mr Umezulike Robert A., who represented the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, commended the NBA leadership, member countries and development partners for their contributions to the meetings.

He said the 10-day engagements provided an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange experiences, identify implementation challenges and develop practical solutions to improve the delivery of PIDACC/NB sub-projects and infrastructure projects across member countries.

Umezulike expressed confidence that the recommendations and lessons from the meetings would translate into improved project delivery, stronger institutional performance and better outcomes for communities across the basin.

He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained in their respective countries, stressing that sustained regional cooperation, effective project implementation and proper maintenance of completed infrastructure were essential to achieving the NBA’s development objectives.

The meetings addressed hydrodiplomacy, gender inclusion, water security, climate adaptation, infrastructure development and programme implementation, reaffirming member countries’ commitment to sustainable development, peace and prosperity across the Niger Basin.