Stockholm, 24th August, 2026: The Delegation of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA), led by its Executive Secretary, H.E. Kocou Armand HOUANYE, is actively participating in World Water Week 2026, held from 23rd to 27th August, 2026 in Stockholm, Sweden.
On the first day, 24th August, 2026, the NBA Executive Secretary took part, among other activities, in a World Bank Session devoted to the forthcoming report "Unlocking the Potential of Transboundary Water Resources for Prosperity in Africa".
The Session brought together several representatives of African Basin Organisations and specialised institutions to address a major challenge: turning transboundary water into a genuine driver of development, climate resilience, stability and shared prosperity.
During the discussions, the Executive Secretary advocated for a strategic vision in which transboundary basins shalle no longer be solely viewed as spaces for sharing limited resources, but as genuine platforms for cooperation, innovation, investment and shared prosperity. He highlighted three priorities in particular: strengthening transboundary cooperation, integrating groundwater and the entire water cycle into basin policies and making water a driver of joint structuring investments in transboundary basins.
The NBA Executive Secretariat also highlighted the strategic importance of data, Earth observation, satellite hydrology, modelling, early warning systems, interoperable digital platforms and artificial intelligence in strengthening cooperation and informing decision-making in African transboundary basins.
On the sidelines of the Session, the NBA-GIZ Delegation met with Mr. Anders Jagerskog, the CIWA/World Bank Infrastructure Project Officer, to discuss prospects for collaboration, particularly around the DREVE Initiative, the revitalisation of the NBA Technical and Financial Partners’ Advisory Group, the Regional Compact process, the update of the Shared Vision of the Niger Basin, and the operationalisation of the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Fund of the Niger Basin (RCCAF/NB).
The first day reaffirmed the NBA's clear ambition as a regional actor committed to turning the Niger Basin's transboundary challenges into tangible opportunities for cooperation, investment, resilience and sustainable development for the benefit of the populations of its Member Countries.
The NBA intends to champion the Niger Basin's priorities on the international stage and help shape international debates on the future of regional cooperation to advance water security, climate resilience, sustainable development and peace in Africa's transboundary basins.
