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Niger

Niger sits in one of the hottest and most water-stressed regions in the world, with the Sahara Desert comprising over two thirds of the country’s land mass. Variable rainfall and heavy reliance on the Niger River and limited aquifers present challenges for a rapidly growing population and an economy based on subsistence agriculture. Lack of clean water access, open defecation and resultant waterborne diseases are particularly potent issues amongst rural communities. As climate change drives further desertification and strains groundwater supply, competition over scarce resources will increase. Efforts to improve resilience, including better groundwater monitoring, small-scale irrigation systems and watershed restoration, are essential for protecting both Niger’s environment and the well-being of its people.

IWMI in Niger

IWMI facilitated a project on transboundary water resource management measures for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the Niger River Basin. Efforts involved strengthening regional, national and local decision-making capacities and promoting climate-smart agriculture, biodiversity protection, and management of floods and droughts.