The meeting of the Technical Committee of Experts (TCE), held in preparation for the 44th Ordinary Session of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) Council of Ministers, opened this Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Prestige Hotel in Ouagadougou. The opening ceremony was attended by delegations from all nine member countries, as well as representatives of basin users, and Technical and Financial partners.

The current statutory meetings reflect the ongoing commitment to institutional strengthening and enhanced operational performance in NBA, mandated by the highest authorities of the member countries.

Resolute and Dedicated Opening Address

The opening ceremony featured high-level speeches.
Ms. Flora BATIONO DUBARRY, Coordinator of the National Focal Structure (NFS) of Burkina Faso, welcomed participants, commended the Experts’ commitment, and reiterated the NFS’ ongoing dedication to supporting the NBA in implementing its activities. She concluded by emphasizing the importance of the technical work expected during this session.

The Representative of German Cooperation, Mr. Jan Henrik Meise, provided a welcome address, emphasizing Germany’s role as a strategic, long-standing partner. He pledged continued support to the NBA through key areas like water governance, institutional strengthening, and climate resilience, urging the Experts to be rigorous and innovative.

In his address, H.E. Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE, NBA Executive Secretary, highlighted the significant progress achieved recently in the NBA’s ongoing revitalization process. He acknowledged the strong commitment and sustained mobilization demonstrated by the member countries and their representatives.

The Executive Secretary pledged to continue working closely with the National Focal Structures and Basin User Coordinating Units on structuring initiatives. The goal is to ensure the NBA is a high-performing, credible, and fully beneficial institution for the 180 million people in the Niger Basin.
Commitment to Rigour, Solidarity, and Innovation

Mr. Roger BARO, Minister of Environment, Water, and Sanitation of Burkina Faso and Chairman of the NBA Council of Ministers, opened the session by outlining the high expectations for the TCE. He mandated the Experts to produce (i) impeccable technical work, (ii) robust and well-structured analyses, and (iii) strong, realistic recommendations, stressing that these outcomes must reflect sovereignty, enhanced cooperation, and innovation to ensure a more effective NBA for member countries.

Over the next three days, the Experts are tasked with reviewing the preparatory documents for the 44th Ordinary Session of the NBA Council of Ministers (Ouagadougou, December 5, 2025).

The decisions of the 44th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers will be directly informed by the TCE’s conclusions and recommendations. These findings are crucial for strengthening institutional governance and enhancing NBA’s operational performance.

Following the official opening ceremony, the first day of the Technical Committee of Experts (TCE) meeting commenced with the presentation and discussion of three key reports: (i) The Executive Secretary’s 2025 Activity Report, highlighting achievements and operational challenges; (ii) The External Auditors’ Report for FY 2024, aimed at ensuring transparency and sound financial governance; and (iii) The Financial Controller’s Report on the 2024 budget implementation and the mid-term progress report of the NBA 2025 budget implementation.

Key takeaways from the presentations include:

- Executive Secretary’s 2025 Activity Report
The Executive Secretary highlighted progress made in 2025 regarding project implementation, institutional strengthening, and regional coordination. The report also detailed challenges, specifically those related to resource mobilization, programme implementation, and adapting the institutional framework to the growing complexities of the Niger Basin. Overall, this presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the Niger Basin Authority’s operational performance from January through September 2025.

- External Auditors’ Report – FY 2024
The External Auditors’ 2024 financial audit confirmed the compliance of the NBA’s financial operations and validated the effectiveness of its transparency and accountability, in line with international standards. The report also identified areas requiring improvement.

- Financial Controller’s Report - 2024 implementation and 2025 Budget Progress

The Financial Controller’s report covered both 2024 budget implementation and 2025 mid-term progress. The analysis detailed expenditures, budget line changes, and discrepancies, proposing corrective measures. This comprehensive assessment is intended to guide decision-making for more efficient future budget implementation.

The Technical Committee of Experts meeting is a critical juncture in NBA’s transformation. By reviewing key technical, financial, and strategic reports, the nine member countries’ experts collectively affirm their commitment to enhancing the governance, transparency, and operational efficiency of the regional cooperation body in the Niger Basin.

Mr. Lacina KONE, Executive Secretary of the WAP Complex Management System, paid a courtesy visit to the NBA Executive Secretary, Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE, on November 19, 2025, in Niamey. The two partners, whose headquarters are both located in Niamey, Niger, explored avenues for formalizing operational cooperation in the near future. This partnership aim to enhance the management of shared natural resources in the sub-region.

For this occasion, the Executive Secretary of the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Trans-boundary Protected Areas Complex Management System was accompanied by Mr. Moustapha HIYA MAIDAWA, Regional Project Manager for the West African Savannahs Foundation (WASF). Accompanying the Executive Secretary of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) were the Ag. Technical Director, Mr. Ibro ADAMOU; the Director of the Niger Basin Observatory (NBO), Mr. Didier ZINSOU; the Director of Administration and Finance (DAF), Mr. Abass FOFANA; and the ES’ Chief of Cabinet, Mr. Gérard KABORE.

Productive discussions concerning the sustainable management of trans-boundary natural resources within the W-Arly-Pendjari Protected Areas Complex and the Niger Basin

Opening the discussions, Mr. KONE expressed deep gratitude to the NBA Executive Secretary for his availability and the warm welcome. He specified that his visit was part of a dynamic effort to strengthen regional cooperation for the preservation of natural resources, including national, trans-boundary, and globally significant resources. The Executive Secretary of the WAP Management System then outlined the visit’s main objectives, namely: (i) To present the WAP Management System’s mission, governance, and activities, focusing on the three (3) member countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger) that are also members of the nine-member NBA; (ii) To exchange information on NBA’s experience, recognized as a model institution for trans-boundary cooperation and integration. This exchange aims to inform ongoing efforts to operationalize and activate the governance bodies of the WAP Management System; and (iii) To jointly explore areas of common interest for collaboration, which will be consolidated by WAP Management System and NBA experts into a draft Framework Partnership Agreement. This agreement is expected to be finalized and signed imminently by the two Executive Secretaries.

The WAP Complex Management System, officially established in 2022, is the result of a long, participatory inter-state process initiated between 2013 and 2014 by its three member countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger). The tripartite agreement signed in 2019 by the three member countries defines the key governance bodies of the WAP Management System: (i) the Council of Ministers (CM/WAP); (ii) the Technical Monitoring Council (CTS/WAP); and (iii) the Executive Secretariat (SE/WAP). The appointment of Mr. Lacina KONE as Executive Secretary by Decision of the CM/WAP (August 2025 session), and his assumption of office on November 3, 2025, marks a critical new phase in the integrated management of this strategic trans-boundary ecosystem for West African and global biodiversity.
Mr. HOUANYE congratulated his counterpart on his appointment and reaffirmed the NBA’s willingness to share its expertise in effective governance and the collaborative management of shared natural resources with the WAP Executive Secretary, his Directors, and Experts. He further assured the WAP Executive Secretary of the commitment of his staff and himself to fostering productive cooperation between the two institutions.

Formalizing the Operational Partnership Framework Agreement between WAP and NBA

NBA presented several of its programmes, including the “Improving knowledge-based management and governance of IWRM in the Niger Basin and Iullemeden-Taoudeni/Tanezrouft aquifer system (NB-ITTAS)” project. This project focuses on improving integrated water resources management (IWRM), knowledge-based management and governance of the Niger Basin. The implementation of the NB-ITTAS project has resulted, notably, in the establishment of an active regional platform within the WAP Management System’s territorial area. The two Executive Secretaries agreed to work towards the imminent signing of a partnership framework agreement. This agreement will enable the institutions to develop joint initiatives benefiting both local populations and shared natural ecosystems in the sub-region, particularly the trans-boundary protected areas, including those of WAP Complex.
This courtesy visit marks an important step towards closer cooperation between the two institutions, supporting their countries’ efforts to ensure security, stability, resilience, and climate change adaptation within countries and across the Niger Basin and the West Africa Protected (WAP) complex.

The rich and constructive discussions underscored a convergence of shared visions for joint action toward the sustainable preservation of trans-boundary natural resources. The imminent signing of a Framework Partnership Agreement paves the way for successful operational cooperation between the two institutions. This partnership will leverage political and strategic support of member countries and Technical and Financial Partners, to advance the priorities of sustainable management for shared and trans-boundary natural resources in the sub-region.

The NBA Council of Ministers convened a virtual Extraordinary Session on Friday, November 7, 2025. This strategic meeting was prompted by the urgent need to boost NBA’s performance, strengthen regional integration and cooperation, and ensure the integrated, sustainable development of the Niger Basin.

In attendance were: Mr. José Didier TONATO, Minister of Energy, Water and Mines, Republic of Benin; Mr. Roger BARO, Minister of Environment, Water and Sanitation, Burkina Faso; Engr. Joseph UTSEV, Federal Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Federal Republic of Nigeria; as well as the duly authorized Representatives of Supervising Ministers, members of the Council of Ministers of the other six NBA member countries (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Chad).

The opening address was delivered by the Minister of Environment, Water and Sanitation of Burkina Faso, Chairman of the NBA Council of Ministers. Commending the dedication of the nine Supervising Ministers, Mr. Roger BARO underscored that the Niger River, as a common heritage, requires concerted, sustainable, and inclusive management.
The NBA Executive Secretary, His Excellency, Kocou Armand HOAUNYE, NBA Executive Secretary, offered profound thanks to the Supervising Ministers, members of the Council of Ministers, Technical and Financial Partners, and the Technical Committee of Experts. He reaffirmed his commitment to working in accordance with the governing bodies’ guidelines and in close collaboration with all Niger Basin stakeholders.
The session concluded with the adoption of four (4) key resolutions, whose effective implementation will contribute significantly to achieving the objectives of the ongoing NBA revitalization process, championed by its highest authorities.

The Chairman of the Council of Ministers closed the proceedings by expressing gratitude to his counterparts, the Ministers of the NBA member countries and their respective delegations. He also acknowledged the commendable work of the NBA Executive Secretary since the start of his current mandate, as well as the entire Executive Secretariat staff. He concluded his remarks by extending a personal invitation to his colleagues for the next Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers, scheduled from December 1 – 5, 2025 in Ouagadougou, BURKINA FASO.

Nine Countries, One Basin, One Vision!!!

Contact: NBA Executive Secrétariat