Niger - The Kandaji Ecosystems Regeneration and Niger Valley Development Programme (KERNVDP)

The Kandadji Ecosystems Regeneration and Niger Valley Development Programme (KERNVDP) is designed to provide solutions to the recurrent drought in Niger and the degradation of natural resources. Indeed, the Kandadji Programme is a priority for the country, which had scheduled it for a very long time but could not implement it because of socio-political, technical and financial constraints. The principle of the Programme is to support minimum flow of the Niger river, mitigate the degradation of ecosystems, ensure constant water supply to the cities (Niamey and Tillabéri), provide water for irrigation along the river valley, and, lastly, generate electricity. Its implementation consists in the construction of a structure for regulating the flow of the Niger river so as to provide the water needed for irrigation and other essential uses (drinking water supply, sanitation, ecology, improved flood recession cropping, grazing and fishery), as well as electricity as a by-product that will make the structure as profitable as possible. The first phase will cover the 2009-2014 period, and will cost UA186.23 million.