By Glory Akpan
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has called for stronger government support and collaboration to enhance climate change adaptation and water management across West and Central Africa.
Prof. Kehinde Ogunjobi, IWMI Regional Representative for West and Central Africa, made the call during a side event at the International Conference on Climate Change and Just Energy Transition (I3C-JET 2025) on Monday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was held under the theme “Sustainable Climate Resilience and Just Energy Transition in Africa”.
Speaking at a session titled “From Risk to Resilience – Climate Change Adaptation in Land and Water Management for Improved Agricultural Productivity,” Ogunjobi said IWMI is a non-profit research organisation under the CGIAR consortium.
He said the institute focuses on promoting water security, agricultural productivity, and gender inclusion across the subregion.
He said the organisation works with ministries, agencies, and development partners on issues related to water resources, climate change, fisheries, and agriculture.
According to him, IWMI places strong emphasis on women’s participation in agriculture and supports smallholder farmers with evidence-based information on irrigation and water management.
Ogunjobi noted that while West African governments are making efforts to address the effects of climate change on agriculture and livelihoods, greater commitment is needed in research, data generation, and capacity building.
He said reliable data and evidence-based information are essential for decision-making by farmers, policymakers, and environmental ministries.
He added that limited government funding and dwindling international support, especially from countries like the United States, have hindered progress.
“The role of data cannot be overemphasised in addressing climate change and improving agricultural productivity.
“Governments must increase support for research and capacity building, especially as the impacts of climate change in West Africa are more severe compared to developed regions,” he said.
Ogunjobi urged governments to deepen partnerships with research institutions such as IWMI to develop innovative and inclusive solutions that enhance livelihoods and resilience.
Highlighting the economic impact of climate extremes, he said Africa loses between two and five per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually to climate-related disasters, with adaptation costs estimated at between 30 and 50 billion dollars each year.
He added that IWMI is helping governments and farmers adapt through innovative practices such as solar-powered irrigation systems, on-farm water management, and hydro-climatic modelling.
He said the session was aimed at fostering partnerships that link policy, practice, and innovation to promote inclusive and evidence-based responses to climate change challenges.
Earlier, Dr Birhanu Zemadim, Deputy Country Representative and Senior Researcher at IWMI, warned that irregular rainfall and increasing climate variability are reducing agricultural productivity across West Africa.
Zemadim explained that the region has two main climatic zones; the Sahelian and the Guinean, each with distinct rainfall levels and crop types.
“The Sahelian zone, which includes the northern and southern Sahel and the Sudanian area, receives between 200 and 800 millimetres of rainfall yearly and supports drought-tolerant crops such as millet, sorghum, and cowpea.
“In contrast, the Guinean zone, particularly along the coast, records between 1,100 and 2,000 millimetres of rainfall annually, favouring perennial crops such as cocoa, grapes, and fennel,” he said.
He added that the variation in rainfall across both zones is caused by the seasonal movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which determines when and how much rain each area receives.
According to him, rainfall in parts of the Sahel has increased in recent years, showing signs of partial recovery, while the Guinean zone has experienced declining rainfall and a shift in peak rainy periods, especially in Central Guinea.
He said these changes are disrupting planting seasons and affecting food production in rain-fed farming communities.
Zemadim noted that rain-fed agriculture accounts for about half of all farming activities in West Africa and contributes roughly 25 per cent to the region’s GDP.
He urged governments to invest in improved water and land management systems to reduce climate risks and strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers.
NAN reports that IWMI, a CGIAR research centre headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, operates in 15 countries, including Nigeria.
The institute operates through a global network of scientists in over 55 countries.
It engages with governments, development agencies, academia, and the private sector to advance research-based solutions for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
