In a significant stride towards environmental conservation and regional stability, the African Development Bank Group and the Lake Chad Basin Commission have inked a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to revitalize the Lake Chad Basin.
Amidst the proceedings of the 37th African Union Summit in Ethiopia, the MOU was ceremoniously signed, heralding a collaborative effort to mobilize both financial and technical resources aimed at enhancing water resource management, supporting livelihoods, and fostering peace across the region.
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Once hailed as the sixth-largest inland water body globally and a lifeline for countless communities, Lake Chad has tragically shrunk by a staggering 92% in recent decades, posing dire challenges to the estimated 50 million individuals reliant on its bounty for sustenance.
Republic of Chad’s Minister of Water, Passalet Kanade Marssela, underscored the multifaceted hardships confronting the populace inhabiting this ecosystem, citing socio-economic adversities exacerbated by the scourge of terrorist activities, leading to displacement and loss of livelihoods.
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Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, Vice President for Regional Development, Integration, and Business Delivery at the African Development Bank, highlighted the MOU as a cornerstone for transformative initiatives aimed at uplifting millions of Africans residing within the Lake Chad Basin. The agreement, she elaborated, envisions a comprehensive regional program spanning the six member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, encompassing Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, the Central African Republic, and Libya.
Recognizing the African Development Bank’s pivotal role as the principal financial partner, Akin-Olugbade affirmed the commitment to consolidate prior achievements while spearheading a novel integrated regional program geared towards sustainable solutions and enhanced livelihoods within the basin.
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In a resounding endorsement of the Bank’s dedication, the Lake Chad Basin Commission bestowed upon it the honor of being designated as the “Champion Lead Partner for resource mobilization for the revival of the Lake Chad.”
Ambassador Mamman Nuhu, Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, emphasized the shared objective of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the basin, particularly amidst the mounting challenges posed by climate change and burgeoning human demands. He hailed the MOU as a testament to the collective endeavor towards water security, economic prosperity, and regional stability.
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The African Development Bank’s unwavering support for the Lake Chad Basin Commission’s vision has been manifest through substantial financial backing since 2005, amounting to $241.3 million across various multinational projects spanning water, transport, environment, and social sectors.
Furthermore, recent approval of $17.8 million for the United Nations Development Programme initiative, “Breaking the cycle of fragility through stabilization in Lake Chad,” underscores the Bank’s commitment to bolstering regional resilience and sustainable growth.