In a landmark achievement, the India-UN Development Partnership Fund has successfully completed the construction of the Niangdo Dam in Burkina Faso, a long-awaited project that is set to benefit over 50,000 people in the West African nation.
The dam, with a capacity of 580,000 cubic metres, will help restore 5,000 hectares of land, support livelihoods, and improve food and water security in the region. The project was implemented under the India-UN Fund in collaboration with the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and UNDP, and was launched in 2020.
According to UNOSSC, the dam’s construction marks the fulfilment of a 40-year-old dream for the people of Poa commune, who have long struggled with water scarcity due to erratic rainfall and climate change challenges.
“Supporting livelihoods! A dam has been built in #BurkinaFaso under #IndiaUNFund,” the Indian Mission to the UN wrote on X.
Beyond irrigation and water supply, the project also delivered significant socio-economic benefits:
- 400 farmers (60% women) were trained in sustainable agriculture.
- 344 students (52% girls) received training in market gardening.
- 40 sanitation units were built for resettled families.
The initiative has infused new economic vitality into the region and reinforced India’s growing development partnership with Africa, which focuses on locally driven, sustainable solutions. India’s USD 150 million fund, established in 2017, targets least developed countries and small island developing states, implementing projects through UN agencies in partnership with local governments.
India’s broader engagement with Africa has also expanded, with over USD 12.22 billion worth of 190 Lines of Credit extended to 42 African nations across various sectors, including dams, power, agriculture, transportation, and skill development, according to Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh.
The successful completion of the Niangdo Dam stands as a testament to India’s commitment to South-South cooperation and inclusive development.