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Context The Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) was set up in 1964 by the four riparian states Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, with the Central African Republic and Libya joining in 1985 and 2007 respectively. LCBC is the only institution that enjoys the acceptance of all these countries when it comes to resolving cross-border issues. Its mandate is to supervise and coordinate transboundary water projects, protect natural resources, regulate and monitor water usage, and settle disputes. The reorganization undertaken in 2009/2010 has not equipped LCBC to meet the demands placed on it. Additionally, new areas of activity are emerging which require the institution to further adapt its management strategy and expand its capacities. Objective LCBC leverages its enhanced planning, cooperation and communication capacities to improve cooperation with its member states. Approach This project forms part of the programme Sustainable Water Resources Management of the Lake Chad Basin, which is being carried out in cooperation with the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources. The intention is for LCBC to evolve into an information centre and a service provider for its member states and to become more efficient and effective in performing its work using its enhanced expertise. The project is investing in the institutional reform of LCBC, the consolidation of planning processes, the setting up of a monitoring and evaluation system and an information system (regional database), and the improvement of internal and external communication. It supports human resources development, encourages specialist dialogue with other international commissions and promotes the creation of media products and publications. Improved donor coordination is to ensure that the available resources are used more effectively in future. Compower, a company based in Karlsruhe, is assisting the programme with the redesign and maintenance of the website and the establishment of LCBC's internal communication platform, providing the necessary training along the way. AHT GROUP AG, which developed the LIS Lake Chad Information System with the specialist regional databases, is supporting the expansion of LCBC's IT infrastructure. The company ibes AG from Jena has assisted with the development of the hi-tech server and the training of IT staff and will continue to do so. Königswieser & Network (Vienna), synetz international (Rösrath) and the Integrated Consulting Group Deutschland (Berlin) are providing consultancy services in organisational development, for instance with respect to the reform of LCBC, communication and capacity development activities. LCBC's expertise is being enhanced by means of peer support to the relevant departments with the preparation of the initial report on the environmental and socio-economic status of the Lake Chad Basin and the annual monitoring reports. AHT GROUP AG is also providing assistance in this context. The departments are being trained in using and maintaining the information system and the internal communication platform. At the same time, activities are conducted to enhance LCBC's expertise in the area of climate change. Results The cross-departmental Internal Experts Meeting and the Water and Climate Coordination Group, which were set up to facilitate cooperation with other institutions from the member states, have already improved coordination at international level and encouraged mutual support among the different actors. The information management system has been adapted to meet the new challenges faced by LCBC through the addition of a range of databases, improvements to the internal IT infrastructure (hi-tech server) and the establishment of a dedicated internal communication platform to improve staff communication. This is improving the efficiency of interdisciplinary and cross-departmental cooperation through the use of standardised data. This data is being utilised as the basis for the first report on the environmental and socio-economic status of the Lake Chad Basin, which is due to be completed in 2015. Thanks to the introduction of cross-departmental planning and monitoring of activities, programmes and projects, it is now possible to draw up strategic annual operational plans in time for the annual meetings of the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers agreed in April 2015 to implement the reform proposals drafted by the project in order to increase the effectiveness, efficiency and expertise of LCBC.  

The Sustainable Development Programme of the Lake Chad Basin (PRODEBALT) is one of the responses to the serious problems confronting…

Overview This module is part of the broader technical cooperation between the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project supports LCBC in strengthening its competencies for transboundary groundwater resource management in the Lake Chad Basin.

Applied Water Resource Management in the Lake Chad Basin (2019–2022)  Strengthening Transboundary Water Governance, Climate Resilience, and Livelihoods From 2019 to 2022, the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC/CBLT) implemented the project “Applied Water Resource Management in the Lake Chad Basin”, a multi‑country initiative aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving transboundary water governance, and supporting climate-resilient livelihoods across one of Africa’s most fragile and strategically important ecosystems. Supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the €5 million project was embedded in LCBC’s broader mandate to ensure sustainable and equitable management of the Basin’s shared water resources. Context: A Basin Under Pressure The Lake Chad Basin—shared by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, the Central African Republic, and Libya—is globally recognised for its ecological significance and socio-economic value. Yet, decades of climate change, water scarcity, land degradation, and rapid population growth have intensified competition over natural resources. These pressures have further been compounded by insecurity, forced displacement, and fluctuating hydrological conditions. To respond effectively, LCBC requires robust data systems, strengthened technical capacity, and well-coordinated governance mechanisms that involve governments, communities, and civil society. The project directly supported LCBC in these areas while simultaneously piloting and scaling up practical climate-adaptation solutions at community level. Project Objectives The project pursued a central goal: Enhance LCBC’s capacity to implement transboundary water resource management measures that integrate climate change adaptation and support sustainable agricultural production. Three core objectives guided implementation: Improve cooperation between LCBC and its member states through strengthened planning processes, enhanced advisory functions, and streamlined coordination mechanisms. Operationalize a regional governance structure in the transboundary Waza–Logone/Yaéré area to identify resource-use challenges and jointly develop solutions. Strengthen LCBC’s technical capacity to develop, manage, and implement measures that support sustainable agricultural production and climate change adaptation at community level. These objectives were pursued through policy advisory support, technical training, participatory planning processes, and field-level demonstration activities. Key Achievements (2019–2022) Strengthening LCBC’s Institutional Capacity A major achievement was the reinforcement of LCBC’s internal systems and technical competencies. The project: Enhanced the Lake Chad Information System (LIS)—a regional digital platform for environmental and hydrological data—improving data quality, accessibility, and use in decision-making. Supported the development and regular update of integrated watershed management tools, enabling LCBC and member states to coordinate transboundary interventions more effectively. Strengthened strategic planning, project management, and monitoring functions across LCBC departments. These improvements have increased LCBC’s credibility among regional and international partners, earning recognition in follow-on initiatives such as the World Bank’s PROLAC programme. Establishing Regional Governance Mechanisms In the Waza–Logone/Yaéré wetland zone, the project facilitated the establishment of a regional coordination and dialogue platform bringing together: Water user associations Civil society actors Local authorities and technical agencies Research institutions This platform is now an official mechanism under the LCBC Water Charter, giving local communities a voice in managing shared water resources and enabling joint identification of cross-border challenges such as flooding, grazing conflicts, fisheries management, and agricultural pressures. Promoting Climate-Smart and Conflict-Sensitive Livelihoods Working with local NGOs and agricultural extension services, the project scaled up Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) among farming households in the intervention zone. These included: Climate-smart water and soil management techniques Improved seeds and sustainable crop production methods Community-level training through farmer field schools Targeted support to women’s agricultural groups More than 2,000 households adopted these practices, improving food security and helping reduce local tensions over land and water resources as competition intensified. Improved Resilience and Impact on Development Goals The project directly contributed to several Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 2 – Zero Hunger: by improving agricultural productivity and resilience. SDG 5 – Gender Equality: by integrating women’s groups into training and decision-making. SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: by enhancing transboundary water governance structures. SDG 13 – Climate Action: through climate-adopted farming systems and watershed planning tools. Lessons Learned Permanent in-country technical presence greatly enhanced LCBC’s operational effectiveness, fostering trust and improving day-to-day collaboration. Integrated watershed management tools—combined with the improved LIS—proved essential for evidence-based decision-making. Building community ownership through participatory platforms reduced conflict risks and supported long-term sustainability. Flexibility and adaptive management, especially during COVID‑19 disruptions, were critical to maintaining project momentum. Sustainability and Way Forward The project received an overall rating of “successful”, demonstrating strong institutional impact and improvements in LCBC’s technical performance. The strengthened LIS, regional governance platforms, and capacity-building outcomes now serve as foundations for continued progress. These achievements feed directly into the follow-on programme “Applied Water Resource Management in the Lake Chad Basin – Phase II (2023–2025)”, which further expands LCBC’s role as a regional hub for climate-resilient and conflict-sensitive water governance. Conclusion Between 2019 and 2022, the Applied Water Resource Management project significantly advanced LCBC’s mandate to safeguard the Basin’s shared water resources, enhance regional cooperation, and support climate-resilient livelihoods. In a context marked by fragility and environmental stress, the project demonstrated that strengthened institutions, empowered communities, and data-driven decision-making are key to securing sustainable development in the Lake Chad Basin. LCBC will continue building on these gains as it leads regional efforts toward environmental sustainability, peacebuilding, and prosperity for the millions who depend on Lake Chad.

Lake Chad Region Recovery and Development Project - PROLAC - LCBC Project Overview The Lake Chad Region Recovery and Development Project (PROLAC) is a regional initiative funded by the World Bank through the International Development Association (IDA), aimed at supporting the recovery and resilience of communities in the Lake Chad Basin. The project is implemented by the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) alongside national governments of Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. Objective To contribute to the recovery of the Lake Chad Region by supporting regional coordination and crisis monitoring, improving connectivity, and strengthening agricultural livelihoods in selected provinces of Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.   LCBC-Executed Component Component 1: Regional Lake Chad Knowledge and Monitoring Platform and Secretariat for the Development of the Lake Chad Region Budget: US$5 million (LCBC share) Objective: To reinforce regional dialogue, data monitoring and dissemination, citizen engagement, and social cohesion through the establishment of a regional knowledge and monitoring platform. Key Activities: Establishment of the LCBC PROLAC Project Implementation Unit (PIU): Coordinates regional dialogue and development vision. Facilitates knowledge creation and dissemination. Organizes learning and monitoring workshops. Development of the Knowledge and Monitoring Platform: Web-hosted platform integrating spatial and temporal datasets. Collaboration with academic and research institutions. Capacity building in data collection and geospatial analysis. Annual International Forum on the Development of the Lake Chad Region: High-level event bringing together stakeholders from member states, development partners, and local authorities. Platform for reporting, harmonizing strategies, and planning new initiatives. Support to the Regional Coordination Committee (RCC): Provides oversight and strategic guidance. Prepares joint action plans and statements. Expected Results: Operational regional knowledge platform. Increased access to development data. Strengthened regional cooperation and policy harmonization. Enhanced capacity of LCBC as a regional coordination body. Cross-Cutting Themes Gender Inclusion: Ensuring 50% participation of women in project activities and decision-making bodies. Youth Engagement: Targeted support for youth through training and employment opportunities. Climate Resilience: Integration of climate-smart practices and data into planning and implementation. Alignment with Strategic Frameworks Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience (RSS) World Bank’s Strategy for Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (2020–2025) Country Partnership Frameworks (CPF) for Cameroon, Chad, and Niger Contact Implementing Agency: Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) Location: N'Djamena, Chad Email: PROLAC-CBLT@cblt.org Coordinator: Alio Abdoulaye

Around 38 million people from diverse ethnic backgrounds currently live in the Lake Chad Basin. Most of these people are…

Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project (PCBLT) Duration: March 2023 – December 2026 Budget: CAD $25 million, + CAD $1.1M of in-kind contribution from Alinea and its consortium partners Financial Partner: Global Affairs Canada (GAC) Implementing Partner: Alinea International Strategic Partner: Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) Consortium Partners: Centre for Forestry Education and Research (CERFO), Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), United Nations Association in Canada (UNAC), Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights and Development in Africa (CPHDA) Community Partners: AGIR Plus- Niger, Alliance Citoyenne pour le Développement et l’Education à l’Environnement (ACEEN-Cameroon) and Organisation Sauvons le Lac Tchad (OSLT-Chad) Introduction The Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project (LCBCP) strengthens the climate resilience of ecosystems and marginalized communities, particularly women and youth, across six Ramsar sites in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. These regions face ecological degradation, biodiversity loss, hydrological instability, and increasing tensions around the utilization of natural resources. Project Pillars  Wetland Conservation & Climate Adaptation The project promotes the restauration and conservation of wetlands and agropastoral areas by marginalized communities highly vulnerable to climate change, across protected areas of the Lake Chad Basin registered under the Ramsar Convention. Through community-led restoration, climate adaptation practices, and environmental stewardship, the project protects fragile ecosystems while improving community resilience to climate shocks. Women & Youth Economic Empowerment The project supports women and youth in vulnerable agropastoral communities located within and around priority Ramsar sites to adopt and benefit from sustainable, climate-smart agricultural livelihoods. By strengthening adaptive capacities, income-generating activities, and access to productive resources, the project enhances food security, economic resilience, and adaptation to climate change. Environmental Peacebuilding & Leadership The project enhances the leadership of women and youth in environmental peacebuilding around targeted Ramsar sites and within existing regional stabilization processes. By strengthening inclusive governance, dialogue, and community engagement, the project reinforces social cohesion and peace across the Lake Chad Basin and contributes to the Regional Stabilization Strategy of the LCBC and its partners. Objectives The project aims to: Restore degraded ecosystems and strengthen biodiversity. Support the utilization of NbS for climate adaptation and resilience. Promote inclusive and equitable resource governance. Advance gender equality and social inclusion. Support climate-resilient livelihoods for women, youth, and marginalized groups. Strengthen cross-border environmental cooperation. Integrate environmental peacebuilding into regional stabilization processes. Key Activities and Components  Nature-Based Solutions & Ecosystem Restoration Restoring 10,000 hectares of wetlands and agropastoral areas. Promoting climate-smart agriculture and NbS-linked livelihood promotion. Training of 1,500 government and regional-level officials in NbS, resources mobilization, climate adaptation, and biodiversity preservation/monitoring.  Gender Equality & Social Inclusion Increasing women and youth participation in conservation and governance. Improving equitable access to natural resources, including land. Engaging men and boys as allies in gender-responsive climate action. Expanding gender-transformative initiatives that improve equity in decision-making, resource access, and leadership at both household and community levels.   Income-Generating Activities (IGAs) Supporting women-led and youth-led IGAs linked to NbS (agroforestry, sustainable fisheries, seed production, restoration services). Providing microgrants to community associations, cooperatives and small-scale producers. Offering coaching in green entrepreneurship, market development, and sustainable value chains. Promoting climate-resilient IGAs that support conservation and household income.   Community Governance & Environmental Peacebuilding Strengthening local and transboundary governance structures. Facilitating dialogue on natural resource use and developing natural resource management strategies at the community level. Providing technical assistance and training on environmental peacebuilding and monitoring and evaluation of stabilisation efforts   Zones of Intervention (Ramsar Wetlands Sites) Chad Lac Fitri Logone Floodplains & Toupouri Depressions Bahr Aouk & Salamat Floodplains Cameroon Waza Logone Floodplains  Niger Lac de Guidimouni Mare de Lasouri Expected Achievements and Impact The project aims to strengthen the climate resilience of ecosystems and marginalized communities, particularly women and youth, across the Lake Chad Basin through NbS. Its expected quantitative results are listed below: 10,000 hectares of wetland/agropastoral areas restored. 1,500 government and LCBC officials trained (30% women). 3,000 Gender Model Families sensitized and trained. 315,000 direct beneficiaries, including 75% women. Over 2 million people benefiting from improved ecosystem services. 2.7 million displaced persons indirectly benefiting from environmental peacebuilding integration.   Key Achievements   NB: As of October 2025 Restauration Mapping and public dissemination of ecological and socio-economic restoration sites completed, enabling coordinated planning and action among stakeholders. Tree-planting missions conducted in degraded forest, wetland, and agro-pastoral landscapes, with strong community participation. Labour-Intensive (HIMO) approach introduced to restore degraded wetlands and agro-pastoral lands, creating local green jobs and promoting inclusive restoration work. Restoration tools, equipment, plants, and seeds provided to local communities. Training of hundreds of community members in seed collection, nursery establishment, tree-planting, restoration techniques delivered Workshops on NbS financing offered to national government and regional officials. Multinational workshops on biodiversity monitoring systems, involving specialists from Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and partner countries, hosted. Coordination missions with technical services in forestry, agriculture, and environmental management implemented to strengthen institutional collaboration. Income-Generating Activities: 31 micro-grants (value of 4 million CFA each) offered to support innovative IGAs in wetlands, climate-smart agriculture, agro-pastoral production, and women-led green enterprises. Capacity-building missions conducted to strengthen micro-grant recipient groups in management, financial literacy, and sustainability. Women’s groups knowledge and network empowered thought their participation in national platforms exhibitions and forums. Training delivered on (micro)business development and management to community groups, associations and cooperatives. Women and youth integrated into field-based activities, including restoration work, nursery development, and IGA expansion.   Gender Equality: Development of the first National Action Plan for Women’s Land Rights in Chad, a landmark policy achievement integrating gender equality into land governance and national restoration priorities, and a Regional Action Plans on Women’s Land Rights also developed and adopted in Cameroon, strengthening regional alignment and multi-country commitment to gender-responsive land governance. Rollout of the GMF approach with civil society partners, including mentor training, community sensitization, and development of household-level gender action plans. Strengthened gender-responsive programming, with women and youth increasingly participating in natural-resource governance, restoration committees, and community dialogues. Introduction and expansion of the masculine leaders’ approach, engaging influential men and male youth as allies in gender equality, supporting household transformation, and promoting positive masculinities in

The project is a continuation of the sustainable development program of Lake Chad (PRODEBALT) in progress and in connection with…

Overview This regional project is implemented by the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) with support from UNDP and funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It aims to build climate resilience and reduce ecosystem stress in the Lake Chad Basin through the implementation of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP), benefiting Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria.     Objective To achieve climate-resilient, integrated ecosystem-based management of the Lake Chad Basin through policy, legal, and institutional reforms, and investments that improve water quality and quantityprotect biodiversity, and sustain livelihoods.