The African Development Fund has approved a $9.48 million grant to support climate resilience efforts across key Sahelian catchment basins under the Community and Ecosystem Resilience and Adaptation Project.

The funding, provided through the Fund’s Climate Action Window, targets severe climate and human-induced degradation in wetlands across Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal. These ecosystems face pressures from unsustainable resource use, weak management systems and the growing impacts of climate change.

The project’s first phase will focus on assessing the vulnerability of eight Sahelian wetlands and identifying green economy opportunities to empower women and youth. Subsequent components will strengthen sustainable water management, agroforestry, fisheries production and local governance structures.

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The initiative will also enhance the capacity of the Climate Commission for the Sahel Region, improve climate services and establish early warning systems to better anticipate climate risks. A regional Project Management Unit will coordinate implementation, monitoring and governance.

Activities will span key ecological zones, including the Volta and Niger basins in Burkina Faso, protected areas in Bougouni, Mali, Ramsar sites in Niger, and the Senegal River Biosphere Reserve.