The Mekrou River basin is a transboundary basin that covers parts of Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Water management is challenging due to the complex intra-annual and inter-annual hydroclimatic variability. The daily life of the inhabitants of the Mekrou basin is difficult due to poor economic conditions, changing climate, and fragile ecosystem. The challenges in the management of the basin can be reduced by coordinating policies, proper investment planning, and strengthening the capacity of stakeholders.
Mekrou Basin Project
The Mekrou Basin project is a collaborative effort between Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger which was financed by the European Commission and coordinated by GWP West Africa and the Joint Research Center (JRC). This project brought together scientific/research communities, institutional actors, and other stakeholders from national and regional levels. The major objective of the project is to contribute to the sustainable development of the basin through improved data management for integrated water resources management. The socio-economic development of the Mekrou River basin depends on the commitment of local stakeholders, transboundary cooperation, and reliable water data. The project designed and implemented the pilot interventions such as “Water for Growth and Poverty Reduction in the Transboundary Basin of Mekrou” water development and management plan.
IWRM for sustainable development
GWP also contributed to advance the regional and national development priorities in fostering the management and governance of transboundary waters, working with associated countries; enhanced knowledge on the IWRM approach through academics; and created a neutral platform for stakeholders to exchange and build synergies.
The beneficiaries of the project included the basin water users, the Niger Basin Authority (NBA), government, and research and scientific centers in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Benin. The outcome of was the exchange of data and information that is used to develop warning and planning tools that allow better knowledge and management of the basin. Political dialogue and cooperation were strengthened among the different Mekrou basin actors. And finally, a strategic framework for water security, a master plan for water development and management with a program of measures, and an investment plan, were developed for the basin.
Photo: Mékrou River in the W-National Park, by Marco Schmidt - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, the photo has been cropped, see the original here.