It is an interesting and fruitful moments for Mr. Kocou Armand Houanye, the Executive Secretary of Niger Basin Authority (NBA) who is currently participating in the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) General Assembly (GA) of the 29th September 2025 in Dakar, Senegal. The main objective of the 14th Ordinary Session of the GA of the Governing Council of the AMCOW was the provision of political leadership and policy direction following the decision of the Assembly of the AU adopting “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063” as the AU Theme for 2026.
Also, the General Assembly aimed also at, among many others, receiving and considering, for guidance, reports on work programmes, budgets and new initiatives as follows:
1) Status on the implementation of previous Governing Council and EXCO Decisions of the AMCOW.
2) Matters presented for consideration and decision making including the following: (a) Roadmap and Formulation of the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy; (b) Launching efforts towards the implementation the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy including (b-i) AMCOW’s Strategic Operational Plan 2026-2030 and (b-ii) AMCOW’s Strategic Programme on Groundwater for Water Security and Resilience in Africa; (c) Financing plans and activities towards the implementation the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy with: (c-i) The financial management report, (c-ii) The AMCOW Business Plan, (c-iii) AMCOW Work Programme 2026-2028 and (c-iv) AMCOW Workplan and Budget for 2026; (d) WASSMO and Ngor Reports and (e) Key Activities for 2026, the AU Year on Water and Sanitation.
 
1.AUDIENCE WITH PROF JOSEPH UTSEV: HON. MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES AND SANITATION OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
The Executive Secretary of Niger Basin Authority, Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE was accompanied by: (i) The Mrs. Flora DUBARRY/ BATIONO Director General of Water Ressources (DGRE), the Coordinator NBA’s National Focal Structure (NFS) of Burkina Faso, representing the Chairman of NBA Council of Ministers, also in the team was Mr. Walter Bamidele OLATUNJI, Hydrologist expert of the NBA’s Executive Secretariat to an audience with the Hon. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation for Nigeria, Prof. Joseph UTSEV and his team as a sideline during the Technical Advisory Committee Session (TAC, 27 and 28 September) ahead of the AMCOW General Assembly in Dakar.
As part of his mission to meet all the Ministers of NBA member countries attending the AMCOW General Assembly; Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE passionately engaged Hon. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation of Nigeria, Prof. Joseph UTSEV in a heart-to-heart discussion on matters relating to the status, progress and future plans for the development of the Niger Basin.
In his opening speech; Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE extends his gratitude to the Honorable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation for the audience accorded on him despite the short notice and the Minister’s busy schedule in the on-going AMCOW General Assembly.
According to the Executive Secretary, who presented four major burning issues that need the urgent attention and guidance of the NBA supervising Minister of Nigeria. These includes: (1) The low performance of the Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Niger Basin (PIDACC/NB), a total budget of 230 million USD), with less than 30% as financial execution rate for the 9 countries after 6 years of implementation. The closing date of the programme in now end of December 2027 after given 2 years of extension; (2) The cumulative arrears of contributions of some countries to the NBA Budget are yet to be received; (3) The urgent need to hold: (i) The Extraordinary Virtual Session of the NBA Council of Ministers Meeting by the end of next October 2025, (ii) The Ordinary Physical Ordinary Session of the NBA Council of Ministers in the first week of December 2025 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; and (iii) the 12th Conference of the Summit of the NBA Heads of State and Government by the end of March 2026; (4) The commencement of the construction of the NBA Headquarters in Niamey with about 52% of the collection of the contribution from Member countries; while he thanks the Hon. Minister that Nigeria has completed its payment in this regard.
In his responses, the Hon, Minister representing Nigeria in the AMCOW General Assembly, Prof, Joseph Utsev who double as the NBA supervising Minister for Nigeria congratulated the Executive Secretary on his appointment and went further to say “your appointment is a divine one”. In the same vein, the Hon. Minister confirmed that Nigeria has no other reason than to support the Republic of Benin candidature for the position of NBA Executive Secretary.
Concerning all the four major issues itemized by the Executive Secretary; The Honorable Minister gave his words that he will support and contribute to the success of Mr. Armand Houanye and all the four issues shall be ‘thrashed’, he said.
He also mentioned that Nigeria has received a request letter from NBA for its annual contribution and it is receiving desirable attention at the Ministry. The Minister supported the ideas behind all the three upcoming statutory meetings and Nigeria shall contribute to the success, according to him.
He further requested for a template or roadmap for that will aid the accelerated implementation of PIDAAC-BN in Nigeria for the remaining two years window. The Executive Secretary responded that AfDB had prepared a ‘working sheet’ in their report that can be used to expedite implementation within the two years window ending in 2027. That effort will be made to reduce the impacts on the accelerated implementation.
In conclusion, the Honorable Minister re-assured the NBA Executive Secretary that he is welcome to Nigeria anytime he is ready to visit, also reiterated that Nigeria shall not relent in its effort in supporting NBA in fulfilling its mandates. A letter containing the ‘update, progress and future plan’ was handed to the Hon. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation of Nigeria by Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE at the end of the meeting.
End of the meeting.

AUDIENCE WITH MR LAURENT TCHAGBA: HONORABLE MINISTER OF WATER AND FORESTS OF COTE D’IVOIRE,
In the same manner, Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE, the NBA Executive Secretary led a team comprising: (i) The Mrs. Flora DUBARRY/ BATIONO Director General of Water Resources (DGRE), the Coordinator NBA’s National Focal Structure (NFS) of Burkina Faso, representing the Chairman of NBA Council of Ministers, also in the team was Mr. Walter Bamidele OLATUNJI, Hydrologist expert of the NBA’s Executive Secretariat to an audience with Mr. Laurent TCHAGBA, Hon. Minister of Water and Forests of Côte d'Ivoire and his team as sideline during the Technical Advisory Committee Session (TAC, 27 and 28 September) ahead of the AMCOW General Assembly in Dakar .
Below were the highlights of the meeting;
Mr. Laurent TCHAGBA, Hon. Minister of Water and Forests for Côte d'Ivoire, welcomed the NBA Executive Secretary, Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE and his team to the meeting; he also felicitated with him on his new appointment.
Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE expressed his gratitude to the Hon. Minister for accepting the audience despite the short notice and his tight schedule. He further gave the Hon.Minister the purpose of the meeting is to intimate him about the present status of the basin, progress being made in general and at the level of PIDACC-BN both at regional and national levels, especially at Côte d'Ivoire, who recorded 57.89% (physical implementation) and 47.42% (financial execution rate) being the highest in the basin.
Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE also mentioned that the PIDACC-BN has been given extra two years to complete its activities while requesting the Hon Minister intervention and guidance for speedy completion of the remaining activities in Côte d'Ivoire; also, to support in the mobilization of other countries to emulate the best practices being demonstrated by Côte d'Ivoire in the prompt payment of their contribution to the NBA annual budget and leading roles in the level of implementation of PIDACC-BN.
In his response, the Honorable Minister assured the NBA Executive Secretary of Côte d'Ivoire unwavering commitment to the development and progress of the NBA; he promised to support in the NBA approach to mobilize resources as well.
Regarding the progress of the PIDACC, the Honorable Minister suggested that there should be a forum to share ideas, best practices and technical know-how which will improve the success of the programme and other future programmes of the Basin.
About the construction of the NBA Headquarters, the Honorable Minister provides insight that NBA should commence the works and continue with advocacy and provide to all NBA member States frequent information about the progress of the works which will challenge others to make their contribution.
Mr. Laurent TCHAGBA, Hon. Minister of Water and Forests for Côte d'Ivoire supported the idea that the Executive Secretariat should make advocacy and information visit to NBA members countries starting with Côte d'Ivoire and he is willing to support the NBA Executive Secretariat in achieving all its mandates. The meeting came to an end with the presentation of Côte d'Ivoire national souvenirs to the Executive Secretary by the Honorable Minister.
The Executive Secretary would like to use this opportunity to appreciate one of our Development Partners, GIZ, for its unflinching support and financial provision, which enabled us to take part in the AMCOW General Assembly. End of the meeting.