Group photo of workshop participants
By Elias Ngalame
The Niger Basin Stakeholders are meeting in Yaounde June 22-25, 2026 to reinforce their knowledge geared at enhancing the management and sustainability of the Niger Basin’s natural resources.
Holding under the chairmanship of Cameroon’s Minister of the of Economy, Planning and Regional Development Alamine Ousmane Mey, represented at the event by his Director General of Planning and Regional Development, Mr. ZOUTENE DOUFENE , the Stakeholders Regional Workshop is organised under the theme “Hydroclimatic Management and Climate Resilience: Investment Planning, Climate Finance and Sustainability of Achievements in the Niger Basin.”
The four day workshop, organized by the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) and the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), focuses on the implementation of the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Fund and the Payment for Environmental Services (RCCAF/PES) mechanism.
The workshop according to the NBC executive secretary, Kocou Armand HOUANYE, brings together stakeholders globally from various sectors, including administrations, the private sector, and civil society, to address climate change challenges and advocate for effective measures to adapt and mitigate its effects.
Participants from the Niger Basin countries, Basin Organisations (LCBC, VBA), Regional and International Organisations (GWP, IUCN, GIZ), Technical and Financial Partners (AfDB, BOAD, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Projects and Programmes (SATH, PIDACC/NB), Users of Natural Resources in the Niger Basin (RCU, NCU-Cameroon) and policy-makers are taking part.
The coordinator of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA)’s National Focal Structure in Cameroon, Mr. Guy DEBOK NGHEMNING, for his part, reiterated the NFS’ commitment to support the NBA in implementing its activities, and highlighted the importance of the technical work expected from the workshop for both NBA member countries and the Executive Secretariat.
The GIZ Portfolio Manager in Cameroon, Ms. Nadji Rafat Saerije, highlighted major trans-boundary challenges facing the basin, namely floods, droughts and water-use conflicts.
“The workshop aims to translate regional climate priorities into concrete and bankable projects,” she said.
She also highlighted achievements made under GIZ’ support to the NBA through BMZ’s funding, which resulted in the digitalisation of management tools, inclusive water governance and institutional strengthening.
She reaffirmed GIZ’s technical and institutional support to NBA with a view to modernising natural resources management for the benefit of the Niger Basin populations.
The event is expected to lead to concrete projects and funding for investments aimed at preserving and sustaining natural resources in the Niger Basin.
Mr. Remco DOOST from the Netherlands commended the efforts of the Government of Cameroon and the NBA in organising this regional workshop meant to build capacities in hydro-climatic management, climate resilience, sustainability of achievements and access to climate finance. He emphasised the strategic importance of the Niger Basin and the growing challenges it faces due to climate change. Mr. Remco DOOST highlighted the significant achievements made under the capacity building and hydroclimatic services strengthening Initiative, with the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands through the implementation of the SATH-NBA Project with the technical support of eLEAF, particularly in terms of enhancing access to hydroclimatic information, strengthening technical capacity and promoting regional cooperation.