AGP Executive Report

Sahel Hunger: The WFP warns that 10.5 million people across five Sahel countries, including Chad, face hunger, with more than a million near starvation. Conflict, drought and rising costs are deepening the crisis; a UN report also describes Chad as highly vulnerable to extreme weather and host to the Sahel’s largest refugee population. Shared Waters: The Niger Basin Authority is urging member countries, including Chad, to speed up water and climate-adaptation projects and strengthen management of shared resources. It says more than 80% of jobs across the basin are tied to water. Lake Chad: Climate pressures and more than a decade of conflict have reshaped fishing and food supplies around the lake. Yet local fishers keep working despite dangerous conditions; as many as 15 million people across Chad and three neighboring countries depend on the lake for farming, fishing and livestock.

Sahel Food Crisis: The WFP warns that 10.5 million people across Chad and four other Sahel countries face hunger, with more than a million near starvation. Conflict, drought, climate pressures and rising costs are driving the crisis; a separate UN report also flags Chad’s vulnerability to extreme weather and its large refugee population. Water Risks: Rivers worldwide had one of their driest years in more than three decades in 2025, the WMO reports, as freshwater stores decline and water extremes grow more unpredictable. Shared Basin Projects: Niger Basin countries are being urged to speed up water infrastructure and climate-adaptation projects, which support livelihoods in a region where more than 80% of jobs are linked to water resources. Lake Chad Livelihoods: Despite conflict and climate change, fishers and traders keep food moving from the lake, which supports farming, fishing and livestock for up to 15 million people across Chad and three neighboring countries.

Water Outlook: Rivers worldwide had one of their driest years in more than three decades in 2025, the WMO reports, as freshwater reserves decline and water flows grow less predictable. Africa accounted for at least half of recorded water-related extremes, sharpening concerns for communities across the region. Niger Basin Projects: The Niger Basin Authority and member governments are urging faster delivery of water infrastructure and climate-adaptation projects, with more than 200 million people depending on the basin. The authority says over 80% of regional jobs are linked to water resources. Lake Chad Livelihoods: Fishers and traders are keeping food moving despite climate pressures and insurgent threats around Lake Chad. Up to 15 million people across Chad and neighboring countries rely on the lake for farming, fishing and livestock; fish remains a vital source of protein for low-income households.

Niger Basin Water Projects: The Niger Basin Authority and Nigeria are urging the nine member states, including Chad, to speed up water infrastructure projects and secure funding. The climate-adaptation programme is nearly halfway complete, but delays in funding and project delivery remain a concern for communities whose livelihoods depend on the basin’s water. Lake Chad Livelihoods: Across the Lake Chad region, conflict and climate change have reshaped fishing, but fishers and traders keep food moving despite dangerous routes and insurgent extortion. As many as 15 million people in Chad and neighboring countries rely on the lake for fishing, farming and livestock.

Lake Chad: Climate change and more than a decade of conflict have reshaped fishing on the lake, threatening a vital source of food and income. Up to 15 million people in Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon and Niger depend on its waters for fishing, farming and livestock; insurgents’ control of deeper fishing grounds has pushed fishers into riskier, less productive areas.

Lake Chad: Fishers and traders continue supplying a vital food source despite climate pressures and insecurity around the lake. Up to 15 million people in Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad depend on its waters for fishing, farming and livestock. Regional Water Projects: The Niger Basin Authority and Nigeria urged member states to speed up water infrastructure and climate adaptation projects, stressing that water resources underpin more than 80% of jobs across the basin.

Niger Basin Water Projects: The Niger Basin Authority and Nigeria are urging member countries, including Chad, to speed up water and climate-adaptation projects that support more than 200 million people. Programme implementation has reached nearly 50%, but countries face calls to provide funding and complete shared infrastructure. Lake Chad Livelihoods: Conflict and climate change have reshaped fishing on Lake Chad, yet local fishers keep food moving across the region. An estimated 15 million people in Chad and neighbouring countries depend on the lake for farming, fishing and livestock.

Niger Basin Water: Regional leaders are urging faster delivery of shared water projects, climate adaptation and sustainable funding across the nine-country basin, which includes Chad and supports more than 200 million people. The Niger Basin Authority says nearly half of its climate-adaptation programme is physically implemented, but further progress depends on member states completing infrastructure and securing funding. Lake Chad Livelihoods: Despite climate pressures and insurgent control of fishing grounds, fishers and traders are keeping food supplies moving around Lake Chad. An estimated 15 million people in Chad and neighbouring countries depend on the lake for farming, fishing and livestock.

Lake Chad livelihoods: Fishers and traders are keeping food moving despite climate pressures and insurgent control of key fishing waters. Up to 15 million people across Chad and three neighboring countries depend on the lake for food and livelihoods, with fish a vital source of protein for poorer households. Basin oil plans: North-East Nigerian governors urged the federal government to restart oil exploration in Borno, including areas in the Lake Chad Basin. The proposal is framed as an economic boost, but the reports give no details on environmental safeguards.

Lake Chad Fisheries: Fishers and traders are keeping food moving despite insurgent extortion and dangerous routes. Conflict and climate change have reshaped fishing grounds, while as many as 15 million people across Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad depend on the basin’s resources. Food Routes: Improved security has revived trade from northern Nigeria through Cameroon’s Far North, including millet deliveries bound for N’Djamena—an important supply link in a climate-stressed region. Oil Exploration: Borno’s governor renewed calls to restart exploration in Magumeri and Gubio, as regional leaders back renewed work at Kolmani and in the Lake Chad Basin.

Lake Chad Basin: Borno Governor Babagana Zulum urged Nigeria to resume oil exploration in Magumeri and Gubio, alongside renewed work at Kolmani. The push is framed around jobs and revenue, but reports give no details on environmental safeguards for the basin. Regional Food Routes: Improved security has revived trade between northern Nigeria and Cameroon’s Far North, with millet trucks travelling toward N’Djamena. The corridor is again supporting commerce in a climate-stressed region, though drivers still avoid night travel.

Lake Chad Basin: Borno’s governor is urging Nigeria to restart oil exploration in Magumeri and Gubio and extend development across the basin, presenting it as a route to jobs and revenue. Regional Trade: Improved security has revived truck traffic from northern Nigeria through Cameroon’s Far North, including millet shipments bound for N’Djamena. The reopened corridor is restoring trade and customs income in a region facing climate pressures.

Cross-Border Food Trade: Improved security has revived truck traffic from northern Nigeria through Cameroon’s Far North, including millet shipments bound for N’Djamena. Drivers say the route is safer by day, while breakdowns after dark remain risky. Lake Chad Oil Push: Borno Governor Babagana Zulum is urging Nigeria’s federal government to restart stalled oil exploration in Magumeri and Gubio and extend renewed activity to the Lake Chad Basin. He says it could bring jobs and investment; the call puts resource development in the region back on the agenda.

Lake Chad Trade: Improved security has revived truck traffic from northern Nigeria through Cameroon’s Far North, with millet shipments reaching N’Djamena. The trade is an economic lifeline in a climate-stricken region, though drivers still avoid travel after dark. Oil Exploration: Borno Governor Babagana Zulum is urging Nigeria to restart exploration in Magumeri and Gubio and extend renewed oil work into the Lake Chad Basin, citing jobs and regional revenue. The call puts development in the shared basin back on the agenda.

Climate Finance Push: Pakistan urged the UN to speed up climate finance reforms and improve water cooperation, calling for a credible path to mobilize $300B for climate action and stronger support for developing countries. Regional Security & Trade: Better security along the Nigeria–Cameroon corridor is bringing back cross-border trucking and customs revenue, with drivers saying routes are safer but travel timing still matters to avoid breakdowns at night. Lake Chad Basin Focus: In the North-East, Borno Governor Babagana Zulum urged Nigeria’s federal government to resume stalled oil exploration in Magumeri and Gubio, arguing it’s key for jobs, infrastructure, and revenue—while also praising renewed Kolmani work. Governance & Delivery: North-East governors highlighted progress in regional cooperation and infrastructure, but stressed the need to turn plans into measurable outcomes for people.

Water Security in the Lake Chad Basin: Chad Basin Development Authority marked World Rivers Day 2026 in Maiduguri, urging stronger protection of rivers and water sources, warning that agriculture, livelihoods, and communities depend on sustainable water management amid climate change. Cross-Border Trade and Resilience: Since 2019, improved security along the Nigeria–Cameroon Far North corridor has helped trucks move again, reopening customs activity like Limani and boosting customs revenue—though drivers say travel timing still matters for safety. Regional Energy Push (Oil, with environmental stakes): Borno Governor Babagana Zulum used the North-East Governors’ Forum to urge Nigeria’s federal government to restart stalled oil exploration in Magumeri and Gubio, while praising renewed work at Kolmani—an economic plan that will likely raise renewed questions about impacts on the Lake Chad Basin and local ecosystems.