73165
                                           Republic of Niger

                                      Niger Basin Authority

     The First Part of the Second Phase (APL 2A) of the Niger Basin Water Resources
             Development and Sustainable Ecosystems Management Program
                                                 and
     The Restructuring for the Niger Basin Program Adaptable Program Loan (APL)

                                SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION∗

                           Meeting of the Executive Directors of IDA

                                           October 2, 2012


        Executive Directors approved the credit to the Republic of Niger in the amount of SDR
132.6 million (USD 200 million equivalent) and the Grant to the Niger Basin Authority in the
amount of SDR 2 million (USD 3 million equivalent) for the First Part of the Second Phase of
the Niger Basin Water Resources Development and Sustainable Ecosystems Management
Program on the payment terms and conditions set out in the President’s Memorandum; and the
Restructuring for the Niger Basin Program Adaptable Program Loan (APL) (IDA/R2012-0228).

        Directors welcomed the regional dimension in the development of water infrastructure in
the Niger Basin and noted the pivotal role of the investment for the Republic of Niger to
overcome poverty.      Directors noted that the Program and the Project provide economic
opportunities for communities to improve the environment, increase electricity generation,
promote climate resilience, foster low-carbon development and improve food security, in the
context of regional cooperation in water resources management and development.

        Directors stressed the importance of close coordination, strong governance, capacity
building and continuous supervision in addressing implementation risks and called for close
monitoring of the project as well as a clear communication strategy and robust grievance
mechanism. Directors called for close collaboration with IFC. They also urged the Nigerien
authorities, the Niger Basin Authority, and the Bank to prioritize safeguards oversight and work
closely to strengthen the capacity to manage risks. Finally Directors emphasized the need for
gender mainstreaming in the program and the need to mitigate the risks of resettlement to
women. They looked forward to updates in the context of the new Country Assistance Strategy
for Niger in 2013 and of the CAS Progress Report.

∗
 This summary is not an approved record.