Global Water Partnership – West Africa (GWP-WA) plays a pivotal role in advancing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) across the region, supporting countries in aligning water governance with sustainable development goals. Through its IWRM Support Programme, GWP-WA assists governments and stakeholders in identifying key water management challenges, fostering inclusive dialogue, and formulating actionable strategies that strengthen resilience to climate change. Its initiatives span the development of national IWRM plans, integration of water into poverty reduction and economic growth strategies, and promotion of transboundary cooperation for shared water resources.
By leveraging SDG indicators 6.5.1 and 6.5.2 as entry points, GWP-WA’s programmes and projects provide practical frameworks for monitoring progress, mobilizing financing, and ensuring that water management contributes to both social welfare and ecosystem sustainability.
IWRM initiatives include:
SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme
The SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme helps West African countries accelerate progress on water‑related Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6.5 on implementing IWRM. GWP‑WA works with ECOWAS, national governments, and stakeholders to assess current water governance, identify gaps, and design tailored responses. By leveraging indicators 6.5.1 and 6.5.2, the programme provides technical assistance, capacity building, and monitoring frameworks that strengthen national water strategies and integrate them into broader development agendas.
Mekrou Project I (2014–2017)
The first phase of the Mekrou Project, “Water for Growth and Poverty Reduction in the Transboundary Mekrou Basin,” was financed by the European Commission and implemented by GWP‑WA with the EU Joint Research Centre. Covering Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger, it focused on strategic planning for sustainable development in the basin. Pilot projects were launched in each country to address local water needs, improve livelihoods, and promote ecosystem protection in the W National Park, a shared transboundary reserve.
Mekrou Project II – Niger Focus (2020-2023)
Unlike the first phase, which covered Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger, Mékrou II concentrated exclusively on Niger. The project’s main objective was to support the development of a basin water master plan for the Niger portion of the Mekrou sub‑basin, ensuring that water resources were managed in line with national priorities and regional IWRM frameworks.
Key actions included:
- Preparation of the basin water master plan, providing a strategic framework for sustainable water use, ecosystem protection, and socio‑economic development.
- Pilot initiatives in Niger, such as improving access to water for communities, promoting climate‑resilient agriculture, and supporting biodiversity conservation in sensitive areas like the W National Park.
- Capacity building for institutions, strengthening Niger’s ability to implement IWRM principles and coordinate with ECOWAS and regional partners.
- Integration of national priorities into regional dialogue, ensuring Niger’s water governance challenges were addressed within broader transboundary cooperation.
This Niger‑centered approach allowed Mekrou II to move beyond planning into concrete action, demonstrating how basin‑level strategies can directly benefit local communities while safeguarding shared ecosystems.
Other IWRM Initiatives
Beyond these flagship programmes, GWP‑WA has supported the development of a Manual of Best Practices for IWRM in the UEMOA region, providing a comprehensive tool for policymakers and practitioners to advance water governance and regional cooperation. It also contributes to climate resilience projects, such as flood and drought risk management in the Volta and Niger basins, and promotes youth engagement through initiatives like TonFuturTonClimat.
Collaborating with river basin organizations within their respective basins fosters transboundary cooperation, strengthens water diplomacy, and promotes integrated approaches to ecosystem management.
