UEMOA
Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), 27 July 2026
Novotel Abidjan Plateau Hotel
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through its Water Resources Management Centre (WRMC), in collaboration with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU/UEMOA), the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, officially announces the launch of the first edition of the West Africa Regional Water Forum (FREAO), to be held in Abidjan, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, from 24 to 25 September 2026.
Established within the framework of the regional Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) process, which brings together all ECOWAS Member States and transboundary river basin organizations across the region, FREAO is set to become West Africa's flagship platform for dialogue and cooperation on water governance.
West Africa is home to 28 shared river basins, covering nearly 71% of the region's total land area—one of the highest levels of water interdependence in the world. Every West African country, except Cabo Verde, shares at least one river basin with a neighbouring country.
The region includes some of Africa's most strategic transboundary watercourses, including:
the Niger River (shared by nine countries over more than 4,000 km);
the Senegal River (four countries);
the Volta Basin (six countries);
Lake Chad (eight countries);
the Gambia River (three countries); and
the Comoé River (three countries).
This reality makes cooperation in water resources management not only a necessity but also a strategic opportunity to strengthen peace, sustainable development, and climate resilience.
Despite this immense potential, West Africa continues to face a structural deficit in water infrastructure—including drinking water supply, sanitation, irrigation systems, and flood management—while women and young people remain underrepresented in water governance. In addition, recent geopolitical developments have created new challenges for transboundary cooperation. Against this backdrop, a high-level regional platform for dialogue has become an essential strategic response.
Institutionalized as a biennial high-level forum, FREAO will bring together every two years the full spectrum of stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector across West Africa, including policymakers, regional institutions, researchers, civil society organizations, the private sector, and technical and financial partners.
The inaugural edition will be held under the theme:
"Valuing Water to Transform West Africa."
Discussions will focus on four strategic priorities:
Water–Food–Energy–Environment Nexus: harnessing interconnections to drive economic growth and strengthen climate resilience;
Financing Water Infrastructure: promoting innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships and climate finance, to bridge the region's investment gap;
Gender, Youth and Social Inclusion: ensuring inclusive water governance that fully integrates women, young people, and vulnerable communities into decision-making processes;
Regional Cooperation and Hydro-diplomacy: strengthening transboundary cooperation beyond geopolitical changes by promoting water as a driver of peace and regional integration.
Theme: Valuing Water to Transform West Africa
Forum dates: 24–25 September 2026
Venue: Abidjan, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire
Lead organizer: ECOWAS Water Resources Management Centre (WRMC)
Co-organizers: WAEMU (UEMOA), CILSS, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire
Expected participants: 300–500 policymakers, technical experts, development partners, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, and media professionals
Frequency: Biennial (every two years)
Official website: www.westafricawaterforum.org
Registration is now open through the official FREAO website.
The Forum is open to all stakeholders involved in water resources management and sanitation across West Africa.
Online registration: www.westafricawaterforum.org
FREAO builds on the momentum generated by the 9th World Water Forum, held in Dakar in 2022—the first World Water Forum ever hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa—which culminated in the adoption of the African Blue Deal.
The Forum also aligns with the African Union's designation of 2026 as the "Year of Water in Africa" and contributes to preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, co-hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, scheduled to take place from 8 to 10 December 2026 in Abu Dhabi.
FREAO will provide a strategic platform for consolidating West Africa's common positions ahead of this major global event.
