Washington, DC — As part of its long-term solution to recurring drought, and chronic food and power shortages in Africa's Sahel region, the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors today approved US$203 million for the "Niger Basin Water Resources Development and Sustainable Ecosystems Management Program (APL 2A)," which will contribute to the funding of the Kandadji Program to increase food production, generate more electricity, boost jobs, and create economic opportunities for families and communities in the countries of the Niger Basin.
The project will also support the Niger Basin Authority to further strengthen regional cooperation among its nine riparian countries. The Kandadji Program is an example of the World Bank's push to create 'growth poles' in Africa that generate growth across agriculture, infrastructure and other key sectors. This latest initiative includes the Kandadji dam, a power plant, transmission line, environmental and social measures, irrigation for farms, and an economic development plan for local communities.
...