{"id":761,"date":"2026-02-09T20:10:40","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T20:10:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gwpo-gwp.org\/afrique-ouest\/?page_id=761"},"modified":"2026-03-29T17:53:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T16:53:41","slug":"integrated-water-resources-management-iwrm","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gwpo-gwp.org\/afrique-ouest\/work-areas\/integrated-water-resources-management-iwrm\/","title":{"rendered":"Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Global Water Partnership \u2013 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. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By leveraging SDG indicators 6.5.1 and 6.5.2 as entry points, GWP-WA\u2019s programmes and projects provide practical frameworks for monitoring progress, mobilizing financing, and ensuring that water management contributes to both social welfare and ecosystem sustainability.<\/strong>
IWRM initiatives include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme helps West African countries accelerate progress on water\u2011related Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6.5 on implementing IWRM. GWP\u2011WA 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mekrou Project I (2014\u20132017)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the Mekrou Project, \u201cWater for Growth and Poverty Reduction in the Transboundary Mekrou Basin,\u201d was financed by the European Commission and implemented by GWP\u2011WA 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mekrou Project II \u2013 Niger Focus (2020-2023)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unlike the first phase, which covered Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger, M\u00e9krou II concentrated exclusively on Niger. The project\u2019s main objective was to support the development of a basin water master plan for the Niger portion of the Mekrou sub\u2011basin, ensuring that water resources were managed in line with national priorities and regional IWRM frameworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key actions included:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n