An overview of the development challenges and constraints of the Niger Basin and possible intervention strategies

The Niger River Basin covers 7.5% of the African continent and is shared between nine riparian countries. The human population of the basin is growing at an average annual rate of about 3%, which makes the Niger River Basin one of the areas with the highest fertility rates in the world. The desert m...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Namara, Regassa E., Barry, Boubacar, Owusu, Eric S., Ogilvie, A.
Formato: Artículo preliminar
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Water Management Institute 2011
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/39240
Descripción
Sumario:The Niger River Basin covers 7.5% of the African continent and is shared between nine riparian countries. The human population of the basin is growing at an average annual rate of about 3%, which makes the Niger River Basin one of the areas with the highest fertility rates in the world. The desert margin is expanding; climate change is negatively impacting rainfall; and urbanization, industrialization, and the human and livestock population are threatening the quantity and quality of available water resources. The basin population already suffers from chronic poverty. Based on a literature review, this paper suggests some key water-related and other interventions that are capable of easing the basin's development challenges.