Page 39 - CIWA AR25

West and Central Africa

IMPROVING
I MP R O V I N G

WATER RESOURCES
WATER RESOURCES

MANAGEMENT IN WEST
MANAGEMENT IN WEST

AND CENTRAL SAHEL
AND CENTRAL SAHEL

CONTEXT
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In 2024 and 2025, the Sahel region faced major political l Security and Climate Adaptation Global Challenge Program,
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r realignments, persistent and evolving security challenges, , preparation of the ambitious recipient-executed transboundary
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intensifying climate and food insecurity pressures, and renewed
intensifying climate and food insecurity pressures, and renewed water program for the Sahel (linked to the DREVE Multiphase
efforts at regional cooperation and adaptation. Burkina Faso, Mali,
efforts at regional cooperation and adaptation. Programmatic Approach [MPA]), and responding to ad-hoc
and Niger jointly announced their withdrawal from the Economic
and Niger jointly announced their withdrawal from the Economic requests from stakeholders in the region. This extension will also
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in January 2024,
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in January 2024, support the operationalization of the strategy for transboundary
following earlier exits from the G5 Sahel framework, and created the
following earlier exits from the G5 Sahel framework, and created the WRM set out in the Strengthening Regional Water Security for
Alliance of Sahel States (AES). These countries remain members of
Alliance of Sahel States (AES). These countries remain members of Greater Resilience in the G5 Sahel report, which was built from the
the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), but the
the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), but the World Bank Engagement in Transboundary Waters in West Africa:

cant shift in alliances and policy
new confederation signals a signifi
new confederation signals a significant shift in alliances and policy Retrospective and Lessons Learned report.
direction, increasing political and policy uncertainty in the region.
direction, increasing political and policy uncertainty in the region.
In 2025, Western and Central Africa experienced persistent PROGRESS
In 2025, Western and Central Africa experienced persistent
drought, although some areas have received above‑average
drought, although some areas have received above‑average
rainfall and La Niña patterns leading to localized fl ooding and Preparation of Development, Resilience,
rainfall and La Niña patterns leading to localized flooding and
crop losses, along with rising temperatures.
crop losses, along with rising temperatures. Many water resources and Valorization of Transboundary Water in
are at critically low levels in such river basins as the Niger and Volta.
are at critically low levels in such river basins as the Niger and Volta. West Africa
Food insecurity remains acute, driven by confl ict, poor harvests,
Food insecurity remains acute, driven by conflict, poor harvests,

and high food prices. In Nigeria, food inflation reached 39.2 percent This Sahel initiative is providing critical support to the preparation
and high food prices. In Nigeria, food infl
ation reached 39.2 percent

in late 2024, with similar trends in Mali. of DREVE, both by deepening the dialogue with counterparts in
in late 2024, with similar trends in Mali.
the region and by conceptualizing the vision for a regional water
The objective of the CIWA initiative, Improving Water Resources security initiative. The World Bank Board of Directors is scheduled to
The objective of the CIWA initiative, Improving Water Resources
Management in West and Central Sahel, is to contribute to
Management in West and Central Sahel, is to contribute to consider approval of DREVE in late 2025. The new program will include
improved WRM through selected engagements in the Sahelian
improved WRM through selected engagements in the Sahelian both the Senegal and Niger River basins and key transboundary
basins and countries. It is doing so by (i) identifying pragmatic
basins and countries. aquifers such as the SMAB and the Iullemeden aquifer system.
investments and policy actions that can be supported by future
investments and policy actions that can be supported by future
operations and (ii) addressing critical analytical and capacity gaps
operations and (ii) addressing critical analytical and capacity gaps With 88 percent of water resources in the Sahel being

through “fit-for-purpose” WRM assessments and technical assistance.
through “fi t-for-purpose” WRM assessments and technical assistance. transboundary, DREVE will be the first large‑scale regional
All engagements under this activity also proactively account for
All engagements under this activity also proactively account for program to jointly address surface water, groundwater, and
climate change impacts and specifi
climate change impacts and specific FCV challenges such as volatility, irrigation in West Africa. DREVE, a follow-up to the World Bank’s

c FCV challenges such as volatility,
low capacity of state institutions, and protracted political crises.
low capacity of state institutions, and protracted political crises. Senegal River Basin Multi-Purpose Water Resources Development
Project and Sahel Irrigation Initiative Support Project (SIIP) will also
This program began in January 2020, with an initial phase provide a unique opportunity to support the implementation of the
This program began in January 2020, with an initial phase
of US$1.9 million until February 2023, and continued until Sahel Irrigation Strategy. Sahelian countries and RBOs (including
of US$1.9 million until February 2023, and continued until
February 2025 with a second phase of US$1.4 million. A third the Niger Basin Authority) expressed strong interest in receiving
February 2025 with a second phase of US$1.4 million.
phase was approved based on the success of the initiative
phase was approved based on the success of the initiative World Bank support through DREVE. CIWA has been supporting
for an additional US$1.5 million until February 2027. This DREVE in multiple ways, from underwriting studies on developing
for an additional US$1.5 million until February 2027. This
extension is supporting consolidation of a shared vision for
extension is supporting consolidation of a shared vision for navigation to providing technical assistance on regional integration

transboundary water resources management through the World and dialogue for investment identification and co-financing Pillar 4
transboundary water resources management through the World
Bank’s new West Africa Water Strategy in support of the Water to strengthen regional water security and resilience.
Bank’s new West Africa Water Strategy in support of the Water
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