Transboundary River Basins

The topic of transboundary waters clearly illustrates the necessity to address West Africa beyond the limits of regional integration organisations.

The three largest river basins [1] of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Niger, the Lake Chad and the Senegal, map out a geographical situation in which Mauritania, Chad and Cameroon stand together with institutional West Africa. However, this de facto regional solidarity is not exclusive as southeast Cameroon depends on the immense Congo Basin that irrigates Central Africa.

Hence, the term “West Africa” here refers to the region covering the Economic Community of West African States, Cameroon, Chad and Mauritania. These 18 countries cover an area of 7,800,000 km2 and had a total population of 290 million inhabitants in 2005.

For various reasons and at various levels, West African countries are dependent on one another. Over the past few decades, this interdependence has not only generated tension, but has also led to a dialogue and cooperation process. An analysis of these regional cooperation processes is the main issue addressed in this chapter of the Atlas. It is by developing these processes that the region will be better prepared for the future in which many people believe water will be one of the major stakes.

World consumption of fresh water today is about 5 500 km3 per year (the equivalent of a cube 18 km long on each side); it was 4 times less a half century ago. Consumption increases more rapidly than population for three main reasons. On the one hand, agriculture alone accounts for nearly 60% of consumption and it is increasing steadily everywhere, including in most developing countries. On the global average, to produce one kilogram of wheat requires about 1000 litres of water; one kilogram of meat requires 5 to 10 times more. On the other hand, industrial consumption also continues to increase rapidly. Lastly, human consumption (drinking water and sanitation) is increasing very rapidly as a result of the constant improvement of living conditions in the world.

All experts agree that pressure on resources will be incomparably higher in 20 years than it is today. This will also be true in Africa, and West Africa in particular. The necessary and probable improvement of living conditions of the West African population, the progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, as well as agricultural growth and industrial development all imply a significant increase in water consumption.