The ECA and the UNDP support the LGA for the feasibility study of an autonomous financing mechanism

Niamey (Niger), May 6, 2020 – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its Sub-Regional Office for West Africa, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have provided technical and financial support to the Liptako-Gourma Integrated Development Authority (LGA) to carry out a study on the feasibility of an autonomous financing mechanism for the institution.

This support, which follows a request from the LGA Executive Secretariat, is part of the ongoing institutional reforms for the transformation of the organisation into an institution for integration, covering all the territories of the three Member States (Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger).

The general objective of this study is to find lasting solutions to the recurring problem of the mismatch between the resources mobilised so far and the ambitions defined in the revised LGA Treaty.

This will involve assessing the funding needs of the LGA for the next five (5) years with regard to its operations and the funding of priority projects and programmes; examining the feasibility of the proposals for sources of funding from its structural audit report; studying the model for mobilising its own resources from sister organisations such as the Senegal River Basin Development Organisation (OMVS), the Gambia River Basin Development Organisation (OMVG) and the Mano River Union (MRU) and making proposals for other sources to generate resources for the LGA; proposing relevant solutions for the replenishment of the LGA Development Fund; and developing a strategy for the mobilisation of its own resources with an operational action plan.

Support to conduct this study is part of the core mission of the ECA in supporting regional integration and promoting international cooperation for Africa’s development. The coalition formed with the UNDP in this specific framework is part of the efforts of the two institutions to support organisations working for peace, security and development in the Sahelian region, in line with the guidelines of the United Nations Support Plan for the Sahel.

Created on December 3, 1970 by the three Heads of State of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, it should be remembered that the LGA aims to contribute fully to regional integration and to the economic and social development of its Member States by the optimal promotion of the significant resources of the area.

 

 For more information, please contact: Tahirou Gouro, Communications Officer, ECA-SRO/WA,

 Email: gouro2@un.org

Sub-Regional Office for West Africa

428 Avenue du Fleuve Niger

B.P. 744

Niamey, Niger