West Africa

West Africa is the poorest region on the continent. Heavily dependent on subsistence agriculture, the region is plagued by low levels of productivity and food insecurity stands at nearly 50%. Massive migration from rural to urban areas is currently underway – particularly involving young men – and it is expected that 63% of West Africans will live in cities by 2050. Rapid urban expansion has left cities with inadequate infrastructure and sanitation services, causing land degradation and water pollution. It has also given rise to an increasing ‘feminization’ of agriculture, which is complicated by persistent inequity in women’s access to and control of productive assets. The region is highly vulnerable to climate change. Increasing temperatures, accompanied by erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells and floods, are likely to reduce crop yields with serious implications for food security at a time of significant population growth: West Africa’s population of over 400 million is set to more than double by 2050.

IWMI in West Africa

IWMI works closely with countries in the Economic Community of West African States and regional initiatives to respond to water challenges and priorities. Our partners include national and local governments, research institutes, universities, private sector enterprises, civil society and nongovernmental organizations, farmer associations and development organizations. IWMI’s strategy is centered around three strategic programs — Water, Food and Ecosystems; Water, Climate Change and Resilience; and Water, Growth and Inclusion — each supported by high-quality science and digital innovation.

Regional representative

Olufunke Cofie

Olufunke Cofie

Africa Director for Research Impact

Contact

For work related to West Africa, please contact our regional office in Ghana.

Contact the media team.

Contact our global HQ.

Projects in West Africa

Latest West Africa news

November-December 2024 Research Journal Roundup 

Roundup of research, journal and other academic articles from November and December 2024 …

September-October 2024 Research Journal Roundup 

Roundup of research, journal and other academic articles from September and October 2024 …

Quick gains or long-term futures?

Context matters for how young people in Ghana view aquaculture.   …

IWMI is cultivating a new generation of water experts in Africa

IWMI has expanded DIWASA’s scope to emphasize capacity building, stakeholder collaboration, and mentorship …

Latest West Africa publications

Displaying 4 publications
Social-ecological landscape sustainability in West Africa: applying the driver pressure state impact response framework in Ghana and Nigeria (11/30/2024)
Social-ecological landscape sustainability in West Africa: applying the driver pressure state impact response framework in Ghana and Nigeria
Discover Sustainability, 2024
More... [DOI] | Fulltext (2.80 MB)
Rainfall estimation in the West African Sahel: comparison and cross-validation of top-down vs. bottom-up precipitation products in Burkina Faso (10/31/2024)
Rainfall estimation in the West African Sahel: comparison and cross-validation of top-down vs. bottom-up precipitation products in Burkina Faso
Geocarto International, 2024
More... [DOI] | Fulltext (3.36 MB)
Development of an operational flood early warning system for Black Volta River Basin, West Africa (09/30/2024)
Development of an operational flood early warning system for Black Volta River Basin, West Africa
2024
More... [DOI]
Quantifying future climate extreme indices: implications for sustainable urban development in West Africa, with a focus on the Greater Accra Region (07/31/2024)
Quantifying future climate extreme indices: implications for sustainable urban development in West Africa, with a focus on the Greater Accra Region
Discover Sustainability, 2024
More... [DOI] | Fulltext (13.8 MB)