LCBC, WMO and GWP-CAf Launch US$11.7 Million Adaptation Fund Project to Strengthen Climate Resilience in the Lake Chad Basin

N’Djamena, Chad

The Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Global Water Partnership Central Africa (GWP-CAf), has officially launched a US$11.7 million project funded by the Adaptation Fund to strengthen Integrated Water Resources Management and Early Warning Systems for climate change resilience across the Lake Chad Basin.

The launch took place during a two-day Inception Workshop in N’Djamena, bringing together ministers, technical experts, development partners, and representatives of beneficiary institutions from Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, Chad and the Central African Republic.

Addressing Growing Climate Challenges: The Lake Chad Basin continues to face increasing climate-related challenges, including recurrent floods, droughts, water scarcity, and environmental degradation. The project will strengthen hydrometeorological observation networks, improve forecasting capabilities, enhance transboundary water resources management, and ensure that vulnerable communities receive timely and actionable early warnings.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the LCBC, Amb. Ibrahim Babani, represented by the Technical Director, emphasized the importance of collective action in building resilience to climate risks across the basin.

“Climate resilience begins with knowledge and timely action. Through this project, we are strengthening hydrometeorological services, improving early warning systems, and empowering vulnerable communities across the Lake Chad Basin to better prepare for floods and droughts.”

The project supports the global Early Warnings for All initiative through rehabilitation and expansion of hydrometeorological monitoring networks, strengthening national and regional forecasting capacities, improving data management and sharing mechanisms, and developing people-centred early warning systems.

The initiative is expected to benefit more than 50 million people across the Lake Chad Basin, helping communities, institutions, and decision-makers better anticipate and respond to climate-related risks.

The inception workshop provides a platform for stakeholders to review project objectives, discuss governance arrangements, clarify implementation roles, and establish a shared roadmap for effective project delivery.

The Adaptation Fund-funded project “Integrated Water Resources Management and Early Warning Systems for Climate Change Resilience in the Lake Chad Basin” will be implemented over five years (2026-2031) through the partnership of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as the Implementing Entity. Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and Global Water Partnership (GWP-Caf) as the dual Executing Partners.