Mariama Hamani
Under the banner « From Vision to Action », the African Water Forum concluded this Thursday in N’Djamena after two days of intensive discussions on the continent’s most pressing water access and sustainable resource management challenges. The high-level event, co-hosted by the Chadian government and the World Bank Group, brought together African leaders, technical partners, financial backers, and water sector specialists from across the region.
Turning promises into tangible results
As the forum drew to a close, Farouk Mollah Banna, the World Bank Group’s representative, underscored the urgency of converting political and financial pledges into measurable benefits for communities.
« The hopes of millions—access to clean, reliable water, food security, and environmental sustainability—rest on how swiftly and seriously we implement the commitments made here. Words must give way to deeds if we are to meet the continent’s most critical needs, » he emphasized.
The Lake Chad crisis takes center stage
Chad’s Prime Minister, Allah Maye Halina, made a compelling case for placing the Lake Chad basin at the forefront of Africa’s development agenda. He framed the basin’s survival not as a regional issue, but as a continental imperative with far-reaching implications for peace, economic growth, and food systems.
« The Lake Chad basin is on the brink. Its degradation threatens the livelihoods of over 30 million people and risks destabilizing entire regions. This is not just a matter for the countries bordering the lake—it is a shared responsibility that demands immediate, coordinated action from Africa and the international community alike. We can no longer afford delay; the time for decisive intervention is now, » he stated.
Momentum for meaningful change
Organizers left the forum confident that the policy recommendations and strategic frameworks emerging from the sessions would soon translate into on-the-ground initiatives. The focus now shifts to accountability, funding, and cross-border cooperation to ensure that commitments do not fade into rhetoric.
