The European Union (EU) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have launched a major initiative to address insecurity, poverty, and climate change in the Lake Chad Basin. The €40 million (N70.37bn) project, called the Lake Chad Inclusive Economic and Social Recovery (RESILAC 2) initiative, aims to improve resilience in vulnerable populations across the region, particularly in Borno State, Nigeria.
The project will target 36,000 direct beneficiaries, focusing on women, children, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in three local government areas of Borno. The five-year program, which is the second phase of a broader initiative, will span three countries—Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad—and will be implemented in collaboration with the Lake Chad Basin Commission. The project also includes partnerships with Action Against Hunger and CARE International.
Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja on Thursday, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, emphasized the importance of the RESILAC 2 project, noting that it aims to stimulate economic recovery, improve access to basic services, and foster social cohesion. “This is a long-term initiative with €40 million in funding, and it is vital to the recovery of Lake Chad Basin communities,” Mignot said.
The RESILAC 2 initiative is part of a broader package of €300 million in new EU projects targeting Nigeria’s Northeast and Northwest regions. These initiatives aim to address security concerns and socio-economic development challenges in the country’s most affected areas.
Mamman Nuhu, Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, underscored the alignment of RESILAC 2 with the Commission’s six-year Regional Stabilization Strategy, which focuses on restoring livelihoods in areas impacted by insurgency. He also provided context on the environmental crisis, highlighting that Lake Chad’s dramatic reduction in size due to drought between 1972 and 1985 has been followed by recent recovery.
“This project addresses the socio-economic impact of climate change, agriculture, and insecurity while helping rebuild the resilience of communities affected by insurgency,” Nuhu stated.
The RESILAC 2 initiative is one of several ongoing international efforts to promote stability and development in the Lake Chad Basin, with other initiatives from the World Bank and the African Development Bank also focusing on regional recovery and resilience building. The project’s impact will be assessed after five years of implementation, with further adjustments made if necessary.
The launch of this project is seen as a significant step toward addressing the complex challenges faced by the region, including the effects of insurgency and environmental degradation.
