The Burkina Faso government and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have agreed to extend their collaboration on integrated water resource management until 2030. A new partnership convention was signed between the National Agency of Hydrographic Basins (ANABH) and Dutch water agencies under the Blue Deal program. This program aims to provide 20 million people worldwide with access to clean, sufficient, and safe water by 2030.
Water scarcity and quality are significant concerns in Burkina Faso, particularly in the Sahel region, where climate change exacerbates pressure on water resources. To address this issue, Burkina Faso has been engaged in integrated water resource management (GIRE) since the mid-1990s. The country has developed a National Plan for Integrated Water Resource Management (PAGIRE) and a National Program for Integrated Water Resource Management (PN/GIRE) to ensure sustainable management of water resources.
The Blue Deal program, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, and Dutch Water Authorities (DWA), brings together 17 partnerships in 14 countries, including Burkina Faso. The program focuses on improving water management and access to clean water. The new convention aims to build on the successes of the previous partnership and enhance cooperation between ANABH and Dutch water agencies.
The new agreement marks a significant shift in cooperation, as Burkina Faso has recently established the National Agency of Hydrographic Basins (ANABH), which consolidates previous water agencies. This institutional change requires adjustments to technical partnerships with international organizations. Boukaré Sabo, Director-General of ANABH, emphasized that the new convention ensures continuity of previous cooperation and capitalizes on acquired experiences.
The three-year agreement (2027-2030) includes annual activity programs focusing on institutional support, capacity building, and experience sharing between the two parties. The goal is to improve integrated water resource management, increase water mobilization, and enhance community involvement in water management. The partnership also aims to strengthen water resource monitoring and improve the effectiveness of interventions on the ground.
The cooperation has already yielded tangible results, including capacity building for dredging techniques and monitoring of surface and groundwater quality. Etienne Nacoulma, coordinator of the Blue Deal in Burkina Faso, highlighted that the partnership has addressed concrete water management issues. The new agreement will enable ANABH to benefit from Dutch expertise while consolidating national capacities for better water resource governance.
The extended cooperation between Burkina Faso and the Netherlands demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable water management in the Sahel region. By building on previous successes and addressing new challenges, the partnership aims to make a lasting impact on the lives of millions of people in Burkina Faso and beyond.
Key points
- - The new agreement between Burkina Faso and the Netherlands extends cooperation on integrated water resource management until 2030. - The partnership aims to improve water management, increase access to clean water, and enhance community involvement in water management. - The agreement builds on previous successes, including capacity building for dredging techniques and monitoring of surface and groundwater quality.
