Former Executive Secretary of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and adviser to the 9th World Water Forum, Bai Mass Taal, has been selected for a prestigious award by the ECOWAS Water Resources Management Centre. The Trophy of Excellence in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) recognises Taal's exceptional contribution, leadership and sustained commitment to the implementation and consolidation of the regional IWRM process in West Africa between 1998 and 2026.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place during the inaugural West Africa Regional Water Forum (FREAO) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on September 24 and 25, 2026. The official presentation of the award will be held during a gala dinner at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Abidjan, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on September 24. Ministers responsible for water from the ECOWAS, West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and Permanent Interstates Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) spaces, alongside technical and financial partners, are expected to attend.
According to the ECOWAS Water Resources Management Centre, Taal's contributions have helped West Africa establish important foundations for the sustainable and concerted management of water resources across the region. The award places particular recognition on his efforts to strengthen sustainable and coordinated governance of the region's shared water resources. Taal's recognition comes against the backdrop of growing regional efforts to promote integrated approaches to water-resource management.
The ECOWAS Water Resources Management Centre invited Taal to confirm his attendance or designate an authorised representative to receive the trophy on his behalf. The confirmation was requested by September 21, 2026. The notification was signed by Kouakou Alexis Kouassi, Director of the ECOWAS Water Resources Management Centre, who extended warm congratulations to Taal on the distinction.
Taal is a veteran water-sector professional with leadership experience at AMCOW and involvement in major international water-sector initiatives, including the 9th World Water Forum. The inaugural FREAO is expected to provide a regional platform for governments, institutions, development partners and water-sector stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities surrounding water management and cooperation in West Africa.
The award ceremony will form part of the forum's activities, providing an opportunity to recognise individuals whose work has contributed to the development of water governance and IWRM in the region. The forum will bring together key stakeholders to discuss regional efforts to promote integrated approaches to water-resource management, particularly as West African countries seek stronger cooperation in managing shared water resources.
The ECOWAS Water Resources Management Centre's recognition of Taal's contributions highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in managing the region's water resources. The centre's efforts aim to promote sustainable and coordinated governance of shared water resources, and Taal's award serves as a testament to the impact of individual contributions to this goal.
Key points
- Bai Mass Taal to receive ECOWAS Trophy of Excellence in Integrated Water Resources Management
- Award recognises Taal's exceptional contribution to regional IWRM process
- Ceremony to take place during inaugural West Africa Regional Water Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
