NEXUS CHALLENGES : As the major river in West Africa, the basin of the Niger River and its ecosystems provide the foundation for the everyday activities and livelihoods of around 160 million people. The river provides drinking water, hydropower generation, irrigated agriculture, cattle breeding, fishing and transportation – making it the élan vital of the nine riparian countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.
Due to climate change, rainfall variability will lead to longer dry periods in the region. Rainfall intensity and extreme flooding events are likely to increase. Rapid population growth and urbanisation heighten the demand for electricity, clean drinking water and food.

NEXUS Fact Sheet in the Niger Basin