Applied Water Resource Management in the Lake Chad Basin with GIZ (2023-2026 Project)
Applied Water Resource Management in the Lake Chad Basin (GIZ-CBLT 2023 – 2026)
Project Overview
The Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), in partnership with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), is implementing the project*“Applied Water Resource Management in the Lake Chad Basin”* to strengthen sustainable, climate-resilient and conflict-sensitive management of shared water resources across the region.
Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the project is being implemented from January 2023 to December 2026 across LCBC member countries, including Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria and the Central African Republic.
Context and Rationale
The Lake Chad Basin is a vital ecological and economic zone, supporting millions of people through agriculture, livestock, and fisheries. However, the basin faces increasing pressure from overuse of water resources, environmental degradation, and pollution. These challenges are further compounded by climate variability, resulting in heightened competition over resources and rising conflicts among communities.
In response, the LCBC seeks to promote equitable, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable management of transboundary water resources to support regional stability and livelihoods.
Project Objective
The project aims to strengthen the capacity of the LCBC to effectively guide its member states in managing water resources in ways that are:
- environmentally sustainable
- climate-adapted
- gender-responsive
- conflict-sensitive.
Key Interventions
To achieve its objective, the project focuses on several strategic actions:
- Strengthening Knowledge and Data Systems
The project supports the development and enhancement of the Lake Chad Basin Information System, facilitating improved collection, processing, and use of data for informed decision-making on water resource management.
- Enhancing Advisory Capacity of LCBC
Efforts are underway to establish a structured advisory forum that enables the LCBC to provide targeted, evidence-based guidance to its member countries on water governance and management practices.
- Promoting Multi-Stakeholder Engagement
The project supports a partner platform on the Logone River, bringing together stakeholders, local communities, and institutions to identify pressing water-related challenges and jointly develop solutions tailored to local realities.
Local communities, including farmers, fishermen, and livestock breeders, are trained as resource persons to promote sustainable practices such as:
- use of drought-resistant crops
- rainwater harvesting techniques
- resource-efficient agricultural methods
These peer-to-peer learning approaches help disseminate knowledge widely and strengthen resilience at the grassroots level.
Cross-Cutting Themes
The project integrates several important cross-cutting priorities:
- Gender equality and inclusion
- Climate change adaptation
- Peacebuilding and conflict mitigation
- Participatory governance
Expected Impact
Through its interventions, the project is expected to:
- improve regional cooperation in water resource management
- strengthen LCBC’s institutional capacity
- enhance livelihoods through sustainable practices
- reduce tensions related to resource use
- support long-term environmental sustainability in the basin
Conclusion
The Applied Water Resource Management Project represents a strategic contribution to the LCBC’s mandate of fostering sustainable and peaceful use of shared natural resources. By combining technical support, institutional strengthening, and community engagement, the initiative lays the foundation for a more resilient and stable Lake Chad Basin.
