The Niger, a Lifeline: Effective Water Management in the Upper Niger Basin

Hydrological interventions (i.e. dams and irrigation schemes) aim to increase economic independence and food security in the unstable Sahel environment. Tapping the Niger’s flow, however is not without consequences. The costs and benefits of expensive hydrological structures have to be carefully balanced. In this study, downstream interests are incorporated into the analysis. The aim of this study is to develop a decision-support system for effective river management in the Upper Niger, in which ecological and socio-economic impacts and benefits of dams and irrigation systems can be analysed in relation to different water management scenarios.