VoltaNiger

VoltaNiger, often written Volta–Niger, is a designation used in West African hydrology to refer to the Volta–Niger river system and its associated watershed. The term appears in scholarly, policy, and regional planning contexts to describe a large transboundary basin that relates to both the Volta River and the Niger River systems. While the Volta and Niger are hydrologically distinct basins, the term VoltaNiger is used to reflect their geographic proximity, shared climatic influences, and the need for integrated water-resource management in the region.

Geography and hydrology: The Volta component centers on the Volta River in Ghana and its tributaries, including the Akosombo Dam that forms Lake Volta, one of the world’s largest artificial reservoirs by surface area. The Niger component runs from the Guinea Highlands through several West African countries to the Gulf of Guinea. In some regional planning and water-management discussions, the Volta–Niger basin is treated as a single watershed to address cross-border water use, hydropower, irrigation, and ecosystem considerations.

Management and use: The Volta Basin Authority (VBA) coordinates water resources, energy, agriculture, and environmental protection across its member states, which include Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, and Togo. Related institutions operate at the Niger portion of the basin, such as the Niger Basin Authority, reflecting the broader context of shared river governance in West Africa.

Challenges and outlook: The basin faces pressures from population growth, climate variability, and land-use change, including deforestation and sedimentation that affect reservoirs and fisheries. Sustainable management relies on cross-border cooperation, data sharing, and adaptive, integrated planning.