PISEN and World Bank delegation inspects Niamey’s third water treatment plant
The construction of Niamey’s third drinking water treatment and production plant is making steady progress, as confirmed by a high-level joint inspection conducted on June 2 by the Integrated Platform for Water Security in Niger (PISEN), the World Bank, and Niger’s Water Asset Management Company (SPEN). The delegation, led by PISEN National Coordinator Mr. Zibo Zakara and World Bank Project Manager Mr. Mohamed Nanzoul, surveyed key construction sites, including the water intake facility, the plant itself, and the reservoir locations on the Yawari plateau.
Strategic plan to boost Niamey’s water supply
In 2017, SPEN adopted an urban and semi-urban water infrastructure master plan that included the construction of this third plant. Once fully operational, the facility will supply 250,000 cubic meters of clean water per day, delivered in three phases: an initial 100,000 m³/day capacity, followed by two additional phases of 75,000 m³/day each. The project is designed to significantly expand potable water access across Niamey’s urban and peri-urban neighborhoods.
The PISEN oversees project coordination, with technical and financial support from the World Bank, while SPEN serves as the lead implementing agency. According to site technicians, raw water will be pumped from the intake to the processing plant, then distributed to two 2,500 m³ reservoirs on the Yawari plateau—critical infrastructure for supplying water to outlying districts.
Progress and future impact
PISEN National Coordinator Mr. Zibo Zakara highlighted that the first phase—100,000 m³/day—will secure Niamey’s water supply through 2035. The project encompasses 10 distinct work packages and includes plans for future expansions. He noted that while early progress had faced delays, construction has now gained significant momentum, particularly at the water intake and Yawari plateau sites, with active excavation and workforce mobilization.
World Bank Project Manager Mr. Mohamed Nanzoul praised the progress, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to supporting Niger’s government in improving public welfare through sustainable water infrastructure. Project Construction Manager Mr. Haladou Laouali Amani added that all preparatory phases—including site mobilization, data collection, topographic surveys, and geotechnical studies—are complete. He emphasized the project’s transformative potential, stating, “This is a landmark initiative, one of the largest ever in terms of potable water capacity expansion, with an estimated 45,000 social connections to be established.”
