The Lake Chad Basin has received a major financial boost with the launch of a new €11.25 million initiative aimed at improving water management, tackling climate challenges, and strengthening stability across the region.
According to PUNCH, the programme, known as the Lake Chad Water Management Action (LACHAWAMA), was officially launched in Bangui, Central African Republic. The initiative is backed by the European Union, Germany, the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), and the Central African Republic government.
The project is expected to support countries within the Lake Chad Basin, including Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and the Central African Republic. It is designed to improve the management of shared water resources while helping communities adapt to the growing effects of climate change and environmental degradation.
The funding package consists of €7 million from the European Union and €4.25 million from Germany through its Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
For Nigeria, particularly communities in the North-East that depend heavily on the lake for farming, fishing, and livestock production, the initiative is expected to improve livelihoods and strengthen economic recovery efforts in areas affected by conflict and environmental pressures.
Speaking during the launch, Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra described the programme as a critical step toward protecting the future of the region. He called on governments, development partners, civil society groups, and the private sector to work together to ensure the project’s success.
The initiative will focus on developing resilient infrastructure, strengthening hydrological monitoring systems, improving regional cooperation, and supporting investments in sustainable water resource management.
Representatives of the European Union noted that the project aligns with efforts to support African-led solutions to regional challenges. They stressed that climate change and environmental issues cut across borders and require strong cooperation among neighbouring countries.
The Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, said the programme reflects the commitment of member states to work together in addressing shared environmental and security concerns.
Under the initiative, countries in the basin will strengthen data sharing, improve water governance, and establish dialogue platforms to address biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and conflict prevention.
The programme comes at a time when concerns continue to grow over the shrinking size of Lake Chad. Once one of Africa’s largest freshwater lakes, it has suffered years of decline due to climate change, prolonged droughts, population growth, and unsustainable use of natural resources.
The environmental challenges have contributed to poverty, displacement, and competition for water and farmland, while insecurity linked to insurgency and armed conflicts has further complicated the situation.
Experts believe that improving access to water and protecting natural resources remain key to achieving long-term peace, economic growth, and stability in the region.
As millions of people depend on Lake Chad for survival, stakeholders hope the new €11.25 million initiative will help secure the future of the basin and create lasting benefits for communities across the region.
