KANDADJI Project A Development Perspective Project EXPECTED BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE IN background NIGER The Kandadji Project is expected to support LACK OF ELECTRICITY ACCESS, WATER poverty alleviation efforts by bringing electricity SCARCITY AND FOOD INSECURITY to homes and businesses, and by improving the Niger has one of the lowest electrification rates management of the Niger River. Better basin in the world, at 10% of the population (less than management will enhance environmental flows 1% in rural areas). Huge investments are needed to in the dry season and ensure a reliable municipal 80% of Niger’s labor force is engaged in increase access. The country is also ranked 189 out water supply for Niamey. agriculture and livestock, accounting for 40% of 189 on UNDP’s Human Development Index and of the GDP. However, productivity and yields 3rd to last on the World Bank Human Capital index. The Project is part of the larger Niger Basin are low due to limited use of inputs and lack of Water Resources Development and Sustainable infrastructure, including irrigation and roads. This Extreme poverty remains very high, at an Ecosystems Management Program. The dam and large, landlocked, mostly desert country in Africa’s estimated 41.5% in 2019, affecting more than reservoir will support irrigation of up to 45,000 Sahel region is crossed by the Niger River, on which 9 million people. It also faces many challenges hectares of land, which will increase agricultural depend a vast majority of the rural population. to increase access to sanitation and potable production, boost food security, and improve However, this population is increasingly facing water, particularly in rural areas where access living conditions downstream. the effects of climate change, including recurrent to water is 44.2% and 7% for sanitation. 42% of droughts and floods, as well as chronic food and children are stunted in Niger, and so at risk of It will also strengthen Niger’s energy security power shortages. cognitive and physical limitations that can last a through the production of electricity from the lifetime. According to the Food and Agriculture hydropower plant. In addition, it will supply clean Located 189 km northwest of the capital city Organization, 51.7% of the population and safe drinking water to those living nearby Niamey, the Kandadji dam project, aims to increase (11.1 million people) suffers from severe food and create jobs – especially for young people and food production, generate more electricity, boost insecurity (2016-2018), whereas the average for women – by providing opportunities for people jobs, and create economic opportunities for families Sub-Saharan Africa is 25.1%. to learn and develop new skills and supporting and communities in the Sahel. livelihoods. 2 Construction & Public Work 3% Manufacturing 6% Agriculture & Mineral wealth 10% Electricity, repairs, livestock plumbing, or services Production of to better-educated foreigners electricity, gas, water 1% 40% 20% 40% 80% Tertiary sector 10% of the population Labor force GDP Electrification rates Extreme poverty 47.5% in 2019, affecting more than 9 million people 3 The Project PROJECT TOTAL COST at a glance US$ 1,286,7 million WHERE The Kandadji dam will be constructed on the Libya Niger River, 187 and 489 kilometers upstream from the capital city, Niamey, and the Nigerian border Algeria respectively, and 60 km downstream from the Malian border. WHEN The first stage of construction of the dam at a height of 224 m started in March 2019 and is Niger expected to end in 2025 or 2026 with the filling of Mali the reservoir at a level of 224 m inside Niger. The Niger River second stage of construction of the dam at a height Chad of 228 m is expected to start in 2026 and to end in 2031 with the filling of the reservoir at a level of KANDADJI 228 m inside Niger and Mali. Niamey Burkina Faso HOW Nigeria The Kandadji Program is a complex project with Benin various environmental and social mitigation measures and offsets. 4 Program timeline 2031 Planned and underway Filling of the reservoir (second 2030 phase) in Niger and Mali Conditional 2026 Completion of second phase of resettlement and of rasing 2025 of dam Raising of the dam for Filling of the reservoir second phase 2024 Completion of resettlement, March 2019 dam construction and hydroelectric plant Dam construction 2018 2020 2021 2022 2023 2027 2028 2029 2032 230 225 Reservoir height | in meter Elevation point above sea level 220 215 Niger River | 215 ~ 218 210 Riverbed | 208 ~ 210 205 am 3D simplified schematic Upstre KANDADJI PROJECT 6 5 4 7 3 2 1 9 8 11 10 1- Saddle dam 2- Spillway & outlet works 3- Powerhouse | x4 turbines 4- Concrete dam 5- Auxiliary spillway in Roller Compacted Concrete 6- Water intake for agriculture 7- Pirogue sluice 8- Substation 9- Access bridge 10 - Access Road 11 - Earthfill dam re am w nst Do 7 Reservoir Resettlement & Livelihood Restoration In addition to construction of the Kandadji • New roads, electricity, drinking water, schools, dam across the Niger River, the project includes clinics, markets and other community building new access roads, the rebuilding of the infrastructure and services town of Ayorou, and construction of a dozen new resettlement villages along the shores of the future • 8,000 hectares of irrigated perimeters for reservoir. displaced farmers Funds supporting the Kandadji Project will help • Over 10,000 new houses provide water storage along the Niger River to ensure supply during times of drought, irrigation • Extensive agricultural and non-agricultural capability, renewable electricity, and jobs for people livelihood restoration programs, including in the Niger Basin communities. training and employment opportunities related to construction of new resettlement sites The completed resettlement program for 9,000 people at the dam site and the planned • Improved employment opportunities, including reconstruction of Ayorou and resettlement jobs for women and youth programs for 50,000 people in the reservoir area represent important, multi-faceted development • Improved water infrastructure that will lead opportunities for impoverished local communities, to improved health and education outcomes, including: contributing to increased human capital. 8 A fully functional grievance redress mechanism (GRM) is being put into place by the ABK with World Bank assistance to address ongoing and future concerns raised by the project. For more information, please visit: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/niger/brief/ kandadji-project Proactive communications, public consultation and assistance to displaced persons so as to restore and, where possible improve their standards of living are key interventions during implementation. A community communications strategy has been adopted by the implementing agency, the Agence du Barrage de Kandadji (ABK), since 2017 and has been recently updated. This includes regular project information dissemination and exchanges through ABK’s website and community radio stations supported by the project as well as annual communication events with local community organizations to promote understanding around the project. 9 Impact on Environment In addition to this, the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Management Plan (ESMP) prepared for the Kandadji Program provide for specific actions to regenerate ecosystems for Through regeneration and conservation of the local fauna and flora, including in particular: Niger River, there will be: • Plantation of bourgou pastures along the river • More protection against flooding, more for hippopotami and livestock consistent water flows and improved access to water upstream and downstream of the • Creating permanent habitats for hippopotami Kandadji dam around newly created islands after raising of the reservoir • The dam will produce far less greenhouse gas emissions than a thermal power project of the • Eucalyptus plantations same capacity, meaning less harmful pollutants will enter the atmosphere • Creating bird nesting areas for avifauna • The project will also help to maintain and • Building locks or fish ladders for fish migration enhance valued biodiversity through the establishment of the Kandadji National Nature • Controlling the proliferation of invasive aquatic Reserve and Hippopotamus Sanctuary plants 10 11 2020