Protecting water in the Lake Chad Basin across borders

Context

For the neighbouring countries – Chad, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Libya – the Lake Chad Basin is extremely economically and ecologically important. However, water resources are heavily strained by human activity and increasingly polluted. This is fuelling conflicts between population groups.

The Lake Chad Basin Commission (Commission du basin du lac Tchad, CBLT) aims to help ensure that the countries use water together in a climate-friendly, environmentally friendly and equitable manner, and thus prevent potential conflicts. To achieve this, the commission needs practical knowledge, advisory skills and financial resources.

Objective

The CBLT implements measures to improve water resource management across borders.

Approach

The project advises the CBLT on how it can provide better consultancy and steer the member countries on the issue of water. In this process the CBLT is working with the countries to develop a strategy for using water resources and an information system for collecting data and information.

In the Waza-Logone region, the project is also helping establish a regional coordination body. In this body, the CBLT identifies local challenges regarding the organisation of cross-border water resources and agricultural production with key responsible parties and interest groups. The CBLT then works with the countries on joint measures to minimise the challenges.

Last update: February 2024