Niamey’s water infrastructure took a significant step forward as a high-level delegation inspected the ongoing construction of the city’s third drinking water treatment plant. Led by Zibo Zakara, National Coordinator of the Integrated Water Security Platform in Niger (PISEN), Mohamed Nanzoul, World Bank Project Manager, and officials from Niger’s Water Heritage Society (SPEN), the team reviewed key sites including the water intake point, the treatment facility, and future reservoir locations on June 2, 2026.
The project is part of Niamey’s broader urban and semi-urban water supply master plan, finalized by SPEN in 2017. Once fully operational, the new treatment plant will deliver 250,000 cubic meters of clean water daily, addressing chronic shortages in the capital’s peripheral and urban districts. Construction is divided into three phases: an initial 100,000 m³/day capacity followed by two 75,000 m³/day expansions. PISEN oversees coordination, with the World Bank providing technical and financial support, while SPEN serves as the lead contractor.
infrastructure breakthrough for Niamey’s water supply
Raw water from the intake will be channeled to a plateau site where the treatment plant is under construction. From there, two 2,500 m³ reservoirs will be built on the Yawari plateau, ensuring reliable distribution to underserved neighborhoods. Zibo Zakara confirmed that the first phase alone—100,000 m³/day—will secure Niamey’s water supply through 2035. The project encompasses ten distinct construction lots, including planned expansions to enhance the river’s water processing capacity.
After a period of delays, progress has accelerated notably. Zakara highlighted active excavation at Lot 6 and Lot 7, with heavy machinery and local labor in full deployment. “The project is now fully underway,” he noted. “Local subcontractors and national staff are benefiting directly, creating jobs and boosting community involvement.”
Mohamed Nanzoul of the World Bank praised the project’s momentum, reaffirming continued support to improve living standards across Niger. Haladou Laouali Amani, Project Manager for the third plant’s construction, emphasized its transformative impact: “This is a landmark initiative—one of the largest potable water projects ever undertaken in Niger. It will deliver clean water to approximately 45,000 households through social connections, marking a new era for Niamey’s residents.”
