The Niger Basin Authority (NBA) has concluded its 10-day back-to-back regional workshops in Abuja with a roadmap for accelerated implementation of development projects and the operationalisation of the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Fund (RCCAF) from January 2027.
The Executive Secretary of the NBA, H.E. Kocou Armand Houanye, disclosed this at a closing press conference on Friday in Abuja at the end of the conference that brought together representatives from the nine member countries and development partners.
Houanye said the five successive meetings held from September 28 to October 9, 2026, provided an opportunity to review the status of development work in the Niger Basin, home to over 200 million inhabitants currently suffering severe climate change impacts including droughts, floods and rising pollution.
"We are very happy because these opportunities allow us to connect because we share water, the water of the natural resources of Niger Basin," he said.
According to him, participants reviewed and approved the implementation status of the NBA's Action Plan and Budget for 2026 as at end of June, and also reviewed and approved proposals for the 2027 work plan and its financial needs.
A major outcome, he said, was agreement on the roadmap for the operationalisation of the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Fund, which he described as critical for funding development work to enhance resilience of the ecosystem and people, restore and preserve livelihoods.
"We are looking for the operationalisation of this basket fund that will really fund development work in the basin. Its operationalisation must start from January 2027," Houanye said.
He said the Authority also reviewed the Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Niger Basin (PIDACC/NB) — a key programme costing about 145 billion francs, funded by the African Development Bank, Green Climate Fund, European Union, Global Environment Facility (GEF), German Cooperation and other trust funds.
Houanye said the programme, which will close in less than 15 months, is at about 50 percent physical implementation after more than six years.
"Our challenge is really to ensure that we close this program in less than 15 months with high level requirements. To date we are at halfway regarding implementation," he said.
He said recommendations were made to development partners, particularly the AfDB, on how to fast-track implementation, secure more resources and build trust for the next phase, which will focus on strategic investment, especially multi-purpose water infrastructure to increase storage capacity for water, energy and food security and to protect people from floods and droughts.
"Every year many people are dying because of floods, because of drought. We have enough water resources. Every year we have about 200 billion cubic meters flowing from upstream to downstream going to the sea. We can store it to create job opportunities for our youth. More than 80 percent of jobs are connected to water," he said.
He added that member countries have been invited to sign the Framework Agreement on the Common Fund by November 15, 2026 and to expedite justifications to access available PIDACC/NB GEF resources as early as November 2026.
Giving a stewardship account since assuming office on July 24, 2025, Houanye said the NBA has maintained good governance with two Council of Ministers sessions on November 7 and December 5, 2025, adoption of the Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and its Operational Plan effective January 1, 2026, adoption of new administrative, financial and procurement manuals, staff redeployment and ongoing recruitment of 10 senior managers.
He said PIDACC/NB physical implementation rose from 37 percent at end of June 2025 to nearly 50 percent at end of June 2026, while commitment rate rose from 49 percent to nearly 60 percent.
Other reforms included digitalisation of NBA administration and deployment of innovative technology including AI to enhance flood and drought early warning systems.
He thanked Nigerian authorities for hosting and called for new partnerships with EU, World Bank, climate funds, private sector and closer ties with the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
Speaking at the press conference, the National Coordinator, National Focal Structure of NBA in Nigeria, Umezulike Robert, who represented the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, said the NBA was formed by nine member countries to ensure equitable management and use of River Niger.
"If there is no equitable use, some countries will be impacted negatively. Nigeria is downstream, all actions taken upstream, whether positive or negative, Nigeria will feel the impact," he said.
Robert said the 10-day conference which started September 28 and ended October 9 was a big boost for Nigeria, providing a platform for exchange of ideas on PIDACC, which touches water supply, agriculture and climate resilience.
President of the Water Users, Zakaria Toure, said water users were satisfied with the work of the Executive Secretary, noting that his vision for improving livelihoods in the basin was clear.
Chairman of the National Users (CNU) in Nigeria, Hope Eghe Ogbeide, said access to safe drinking water remains key.
"We are happy this project is on. We are participating and it's my responsibility to report back. We will make sure our voices are heard in the coming programmes," Ogbeide said.
The Regional Coordinator of PIDACC, Seyni Seydou, was also present at the briefing.