A number of African countries, working with Unesco and other bodies, are organising a major international conference in Nigeria on ways of saving Lake Chad, which is at risk of drying up. One of the most significant and promising projects to be discussed concerns the Transacqua waterway. The plan, which is supported by major international companies, is to build a waterway some 2000 km long which would draw water from right-bank tributaries of the River Congo through a system of canals and dams (which may also incorporate hydroelectric plants). The area is currently home to around 30 million people. The project would not only benefit farmers and fishermen, but could also halt the depopulation and desertification of the area, making it crucial to the stability of the region.

In the new ‘Marshall Plan with Africa’, Europe’s highest authorities recently emphasised the importance of establishing a strategic partnership and making new investments.

1.Why have plans to carry out important infrastructure projects in Africa, such as the Transacqua waterway, not yet received support or funding?

2.What practical steps will the EU take in the near future to fund infrastructure projects in Africa in a targeted and transparent manner?