On December 8, 2022, in the capital of Chad, N’Djamena, the Council of Ministers of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) adopted formal Guidelines on the integration of the Water, Energy, Food Security, and Environmental (WEFE) Sustainability Nexus approach in the evolution of sustainable development programs and projects in the Niger Basin.

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The Challenge : As the major river in West Africa, the basin of the Niger River and its ecosystems provide the foundation for 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.

The Solution: The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus approach addresses this complex reality and recognises that water, energy, food, and environment security can only be achieved through safeguarding, protecting, and upholding natural resources. It contributes to a better understanding of the deep interconnectedness between natural resources and their planning, management, and consumption.

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