The African Development Bank Group and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) have launched a $10 million technical support project aimed at restoring the ecological and economic functions of Lake Chad while strengthening the resilience of millions of people who depend on the lake for their livelihoods.
The Technical Support Project for the Restoration of the Ecological and Economic Functions of the Lake Chad Basin (PARFEBALT) is funded by the African Development Fund, with an additional contribution from the Lake Chad Basin Commission covering 10 percent of the project’s total cost. The initiative seeks to improve knowledge of the basin’s water resources, strengthen water governance, and prepare the groundwork for future large-scale regional investments.
The project will support technical studies to assess water flows in the Chari-Logone and Komadougou-Yobé river systems, which supply most of Lake Chad’s water. It will also evaluate sustainable options for increasing the lake’s water level while considering environmental, climate, economic, and social factors to identify the most effective restoration strategies.
To improve climate resilience, the initiative will establish a regional early warning system for floods and droughts and introduce modern water resource modelling and planning tools. These measures are expected to help member countries make better-informed decisions on water management and strengthen the resilience of communities across the basin.
Lake Chad has experienced significant environmental degradation over the past several decades, shrinking from approximately 25,000 square kilometres in 1960 to around 2,500 square kilometres during its driest periods. Although conditions have shown some improvement in recent years, the region continues to face challenges including climate change, recurring droughts and floods, natural resource depletion, insecurity, and conflicts over land and water resources.
The project is expected to lay the foundation for future investments that will restore the lake’s hydrological systems, revitalize agriculture, fisheries, and livestock production, reduce vulnerability to climate-related disasters, and promote long-term stability across the Lake Chad Basin, which is home to more than 40 million people.
Participants at the project’s launch also recommended strengthening communication efforts to attract additional financing, enhancing project monitoring and evaluation, and reinforcing regional coordination to ensure the successful implementation of future restoration initiatives.
