A World Bank–funded initiative under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) programme, delivering integrated water resource planning across 20 strategic catchments covering approximately 1.13 million km² of Nigeria's landscape.
The ACReSAL project is a World Bank–supported initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, implemented by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
The Strategic Catchment Management Plans (SCMPs) provide a comprehensive framework for sustainable water resources management, land degradation neutrality, and agro-climatic resilience across Nigeria's most vulnerable semi-arid and sub-humid landscapes. Each plan addresses hydrological, socio-economic, environmental, and governance dimensions of water resources within defined catchment boundaries.
The plans serve as the primary planning instrument for coordinating investments in soil and water conservation, afforestation, rangeland management, climate-smart agriculture, and community-based natural resource management across the 20 strategic catchments.
Project Duration: 2022–2028 | Total Budget: USD 700 million | Implementing Agency: ACReSAL National Coordination Unit
Basin-scale water allocation, flood risk reduction, and drought preparedness strategies aligned with national IWRM frameworks.
Restoration of degraded land through afforestation, soil and water conservation measures, and sustainable land management practices.
Evidence-based adaptation strategies addressing drought, desertification, and climate variability across semi-arid catchments.
Inclusive stakeholder engagement ensuring local communities, women, and youth are active participants in catchment governance.
Download the Strategic Catchment Management Plan for each of the 20 catchments. Each plan is a comprehensive document covering hydrology, land use, socio-economics, and management strategies.