It was interesting and fruitful moments for Mr. Kocou Armand Houanye, the Executive Secretary of Niger Basin Authority (NBA) while attending the 14th Ordinary Session of the Governing Council of the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) held on the 29th September 2025 in Dakar, Senegal. The main objective of the 14th Ordinary Session of the AMCOW’s Governing Council was the provision of political leadership and policy direction following the decision of the Assembly of the AU adopting “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063” as the AU Theme for 2026.
The 14th Ordinary Session of the AMCOW’s Governing Council adopted the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy. Particularly, it provided guidance on reports on work programmes, budgets and new initiatives as follows: (1) Status on the implementation of previous Governing Council and EXCO Decisions of the AMCOW; (2) Matters presented for consideration and decision making including the following: (a) Roadmap and Formulation of the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy; (b) Launching efforts towards the implementation the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy including (b-i) AMCOW’s Strategic Operational Plan 2026-2030 and (b-ii) AMCOW’s Strategic Programme on Groundwater for Water Security and Resilience in Africa; (c) Financing plans and activities towards the implementation the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy with: (c-i) The financial management report, (c-ii) The AMCOW Business Plan, (c-iii) AMCOW Work Programme 2026-2028 and (c-iv) AMCOW Workplan and Budget for 2026; (d) WASSMO and Ngor Reports and (e) Key Activities for 2026, the AU Year on Water and Sanitation.
1.AUDIENCE WITH THE PROFESSOR JOSEPH UTSEV: HON. MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES AND SANITATION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
The Executive Secretary of the NBA was accompanied by: (i) Mrs. Flora DUBARRY/ BATIONO Director General of Water Resources (DGRE), the Coordinator of the NBA’s National Focal Structure (NFS) of Burkina Faso, representing the Chairman of NBA’s Council of Ministers and (ii) Mr. Walter Bamidele OLATUNJI, Hydrologist Expert of the NBA’s Executive Secretariat.
As a sideline of the Technical Advisory Committee Session (TAC, 27 and 28 September), ahead of the 14th Ordinary Session of the AMCOW’s Governing Council, Mr. Kocou Armand Houanye was received by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation of Nigeria, Professor Joseph UTSEV and his delegation, in audience marked by a heart-to-heart discussion on matters relating to the status, progress and future plans for the development of the Niger Basin.
In his opening speech; Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE extends his gratitude to the Honorable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation for the audience accorded on him despite the short notice and the Minister’s busy schedule on the occasion of his presence in Dakar.
Then, the Executive Secretary presented four major burning issues that need the urgent attention and guidance of the NBA supervising Minister of Nigeria. These includes: (1) The low performance of the Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Niger Basin (PIDACC/NB), which total budget amounts 230 million USD, with less than 30% as financial execution rate for the 9 countries after 6 years of implementation. The closing date of the programme in now the end of December 2027 after given 2 years of extension; (2) The cumulative arrears of contributions of some countries to the NBA Budget are yet to be received; (3) The urgent need to hold: (i) The Extraordinary Virtual Session of the NBA Council of Ministers Meeting by the end of next October 2025, (ii) The Ordinary Physical Ordinary Session of the NBA Council of Ministers in the first week of December 2025 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; and (iii) the 13th Conference of the Summit of the NBA Heads of State and Government by the end of March 2026; (4) The commencement of the construction of the NBA Headquarters in Niamey with about 52% of the collection of the contribution from Member countries; while he thanks the Hon. Minister that Nigeria has completed its payment in this regard.
In his responses, the Hon, Minister Prof. Joseph UTSEV, the NBA supervising Minister for Nigeria congratulated the Executive Secretary on his appointment and went further to say “your appointment is a divine one”. In the same vein, the Hon. Minister confirmed that Nigeria has no other reason than to support the Republic of Benin candidature for the position of NBA Executive Secretary.
Concerning all the four major issues itemized by the Executive Secretary; The Honorable Minister gave his words that he will support and contribute to the success of Mr. HOUANYE’s mandate. He further affirmed that appropriate responses shall be diligently provided to all the four issues.
Prof. Joseph UTSEV also confirmed that Nigeria has received a request letter from NBA for its annual contribution and this is receiving desirable attention at the Ministry. The Minister supported the ideas behind all the three upcoming statutory meetings and Nigeria shall contribute to their success, according to him.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation further requested for a roadmap that will help to accelerate the execution of the PIDAAC-BN in Nigeria for the remaining two years window. The Executive Secretary responded that AfDB, in the aide-memoire of its recent regional mission, on dialogue and monitoring of the Programme from September 9 to 18, 2025 in Niamey, formulated recommendations which effective implementation will make it possible to achieve this by the closing date of the Programme.
In conclusion, the Honorable Minister re-assured the NBA Executive Secretary that he is welcome to Nigeria anytime he is ready to visit, also reiterated that Nigeria shall not relent in its effort in supporting NBA in fulfilling its missions. A letter containing progress, planned initiatives and concerns discussed was handed to the Hon. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation of Nigeria by Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE at the end of the audience.
2. AUDIENCE WITH MR LAURENT TCHAGBA: HONORABLE MINISTER OF WATER AND FORESTS OF COTE D’IVOIRE,
In the same manner, Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE, the NBA Executive Secretary led a team comprising: (i) Mrs. Flora DUBARRY/ BATIONO Director General of Water Resources (DGRE), the Coordinator of the NBA’s National Focal Structure (NFS) of Burkina Faso, representing the Chairman of NBA’s Council of Ministers and (ii) Mr. Walter Bamidele OLATUNJI, Hydrologist Expert of the NBA’s Executive Secretariat to an audience with with the Minister of Waters and Forests of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Laurent TCHAGBA and his delegation.
Mr. Laurent TCHAGBA, Hon. Minister of Waters and Forests of Côte d'Ivoire, welcomed the NBA Executive Secretary, Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE and his team to the meeting; he also felicitated with him on his new appointment.
As for Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE, he expressed his deep gratitude to the Hon. Minister Laurent TCHAGBA for having agreed to receive him despite the short notice and his tight schedule on the occasion of his participation to the 14th Ordinary Session of the AMCOW’s Governing Council. He further gave the Hon.Minister the purpose of the audience that was to inform him about the current status of the Basin, progress being made in general and at the level of PIDACC-BN during 6 years both at regional and national levels, especially in Côte d'Ivoire, that recorded 57.89% (physical execution rate) and 47.42% (financial execution rate) being the highest in the Basin.
Mr. Kocou Armand HOUANYE took the opportunity to confirm to the Minister that the NBA has been given extra 2-year extension of the implementation of the PIDACC/BN, the new closing date of which is set for December 31, 2027; while requesting his continued support and guidance for accelerating the execution rhythm of the remaining activities both in Côte d'Ivoire and in the 8 other countries of the Basin. The NBA Executive Secretary further praised the exceptional leadership of the Minister in terms of Côte d'Ivoire's growing support to the NBA through the prompt payment each year of its contributions to the Institution's budget, while ensuring that the country is a model of success at the national level regarding the implementation of the PIDACC/BN.
In his response, the Honorable Minister assured the NBA Executive Secretary of Côte d'Ivoire unwavering commitment to the development and progress of the NBA. He promised to support in the NBA approach to mobilize resources as well. He also stressed that he won’t bargain in his political support for the implementation of adequate, innovative and sustainable solutions to the concerns that hamper the performance of NBA operations in countries and at the regional level.
Regarding the progress of the PIDACC, the Honorable Minister suggested that there should be a forum to share ideas, best practices and technical know-how capitalized to accelerate the implementation rhythm of the programme and other on-going and future initiatives for the benefit of the valiant populations of the Niger Basin.
About the construction of the NBA Headquarters in Niamey, the Honorable Minister provides insight that NBA should commence the works and continue with advocacy and provide to all NBA member States frequent information about the progress of the works which will challenge others to make their contribution.
Mr. Laurent TCHAGBA, Hon. Minister of Waters and Forests of Côte d'Ivoire also urged the Executive Secretariat to conduct information and advocacy visits to the High Authorities of the 9 NBA Member States starting with Côte d'Ivoire to maintain and strengthen at all times their individual and collective commitments to the success of the missions assigned to the NBA. He expressed his willingness to support the Chairman of the Council of Ministers and the Executive Secretary of the NBA in this regard. The audience came to an end with the presentation, by the the Honorable Minister to the Executive Secretary.
The Executive Secretary used this opportunity to thank all of the NBA's Technical and Financial Partners, in this case GIZ, for its financial support which enabled the Institution to attend the 14th Ordinary Session of the AMCOW’s Governing Council.
