FREAO - Regional Water Forum in West Africa

2026 Edition · Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire · 24-25 September 2026

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Forum outcomes

Key messages of the Forum

The main conclusions of the sessions, to act together for water security.

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Messages by theme

Browse the titles, then open the details of the messages that interest you.

17 messages · 5 themes

Ministerial session — IWRM & SDG 6

1 message

★ The session concluded that West Africa now has a solid and recognized regional water governance framework, the result of more than twenty-five years of collective efforts.Read detailsHide details
However, the coming years must be devoted to turning institutional achievements into concrete results for people, through better mobilization of financing, innovation, more effective governance and strengthened regional cooperation in the service of water security, climate resilience and sustainable development.

Financing water infrastructure

5 messages

★ Move from identified projects to actual investments and highlight the cost of inaction
Make project preparation and bankability the first step of financing
Diversify financing and progressively build a regional financial sovereignty for waterRead detailsHide details
Public and concessional financing remains essential, but must be complemented by climate funds, blended finance, PPPs, private capital, green and blue bonds and guarantee mechanisms.
Make governance, coordination and risk-sharing accelerators of investmentRead detailsHide details
Solid governance and guarantee mechanisms are essential to attract financing.
★ Speed up the entire "project – financing – works – impact" chain and ensure the sustainability of investmentsRead detailsHide details
Mobilizing financing is not an end in itself: the goal is to achieve functional infrastructure and lasting impacts.

Regional cooperation and hydro-diplomacy

4 messages

A structural water interdependenceRead detailsHide details
Almost all major basins and several aquifers are transboundary. National decisions can therefore directly affect neighboring States, making regional cooperation a structural necessity.
★ The "data diplomacy", a guarantee of trust between StatesRead detailsHide details
Transparency and the regular sharing of reliable hydrological, hydrogeological and climate data are essential to strengthen trust between States, prevent tensions and inform decisions.
Better governance of transboundary aquifersRead detailsHide details
Groundwater constitutes a strategic reserve in the face of droughts and climate variability. Its knowledge, monitoring and concerted governance must become a regional priority.
Strengthen the capacities of basin organizationsRead detailsHide details
The technical, institutional and financial capacities of basin organizations remain uneven and often insufficient in the face of growing challenges: climate change, pollution, demographic pressures, aquifers and water infrastructure. Targeted strengthening is essential to address the new challenges (pollution, demographic pressures, climate risks).

Water-Energy-Food-Environment Nexus

4 messages

★ Effective operationalization of the WEFE nexus requires strong political leadership and structured cross-sectoral governance mechanisms.
Hybrid and innovative financing instruments are essential to reduce the risk of WEFE investments and attract private capital.
Alignment between technical partners, research institutions and implementing agencies is essential for scalable impact.
Private sector engagement thrives when projects are profitable, regulatory frameworks are clear including financial risk management, and capacities are strengthened.

Gender, Youth and Social Inclusion

3 messages

★ There is a gap between policies and their implementation.Read detailsHide details
Moreover, the gender and social inclusion dimension is absent from water resources policies and guidelines in most countries. It is therefore necessary to close this gap between policies and their implementation by systematically mainstreaming gender and social inclusion into water resources management as well as into water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) policies, action plans, strategies and programmes, with institutional mechanisms and clear accountability arrangements.
Genuine and meaningful inclusion requires that a significant proportion of women, youth and vulnerable groups be able to make their voices heard on decision-making platforms, access information and have the skills and digital capacities needed to influence technical, strategic and budgetary decisionRead detailsHide details
This enables them to help shape water governance, not only as beneficiaries but also as leaders, innovators and agents of change.
Gender and social inclusion must be integrated into regional water information systems in order to move from commitments to measurable results, foster evidence-based decision-making and strengthen accountability.

Forum highlights

The Forum in photos

Meetings, discussions and shared moments: relive the event in pictures.

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The Forum in photos

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ECOWAS

Dr.Omar Alieu TOURAY MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ECOWAS

Message officiel

Dr.Omar Alieu TOURAY MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ECOWAS

Water is a strategic resource in West Africa. It is essential for life, fuels economies and unites our nations in a context of high water interdependence where every country - with the exception of the Cabo Verde Islands - shares at least one river basin with one of its neighbours. With the drastic reduction in water resources, against a backdrop of climate change, issues relating to water governance are more than ever at the heart of our regional integration process in West Africa. While water resources can sometimes be a source of tension or even conflict between stakeholders and between countries, they can also be a powerful driver of cooperation, peace, and economic and social development when properly managed.

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Monsieur Bai Mass TAAL,

Champion FREAO

Monsieur Bai Mass TAAL, - Champion de la 1 ère Edition du FREAO ;

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Context

A guided journey toward regional governance

Let’s convene policymakers, financial institutions, and civil society to build a shared roadmap, accelerate SDG 6 and strengthen shared basins.

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Forum essentials

Dates
24–25 September 2026
Location
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Support
Multilingual 24/7Contact the team

Why participate?

Mobilization framework

Shared objectives and measurable impact

Take stock of the regional IWRM process, accelerate SDG 6 and mobilize sustainable finance.

Overall goal

Mobilize all water and sanitation actors to build a common vision.

Expected outcomes

Concrete recommendations, an accelerated SDG 6 strategy and an investment roadmap.

Key participants

Ministers, parliamentarians, regional institutions, CSOs and technical partners.

2026 priorities

Four axes for quick action

Workshops blend policy, finance, inclusion and hydro-diplomacy.

4 operational levers for faster and more coordinated decisions.

01
Water-food-energy-gender nexus

Intersectoral solutions to prevent conflicts.

02
Infrastructure finance

Mobilization of PPPs, climate finance and blended funds.

03
Gender, youth & social inclusion

Women’s leadership and youth inclusion.

04
Regional cooperation & hydro-diplomacy

Strengthening the ECOWAS/UEMOA narrative on water peace.

Operational programme

Three segments

A clear structure combining political decisions, technical recommendations and solution showcase.

  1. Political segment

    Ministerial consultations, political declaration and roadmap.

  2. Thematic sessions

    Priority workshops driving recommendations and reports.

  3. Panels & exhibitions

    Innovative solutions and public-private partnerships.

A shared roadmap

  • Regional roadmap for SDG 6.
  • Track by the Regional Coordination Group.
  • Inclusive co-creation with CSOs and private sector.
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News

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Our partners

They support the 1st edition of the West Africa Regional Water Forum.

Institutional

Technical and financial