The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), launched in 2013 with funding from the International Development Association (IDA) under the World Bank, was designed to address severe soil erosion and watershed degradation across Nigeria. The project’s goals included reducing erosion vulnerability, enhancing environmental resilience, and improving livelihoods in affected communities. Its specific objectives focus on reducing vulnerability to soil erosion in targeted sub-watersheds, thereby promoting sustainable land management and strengthening the capacity of communities to adapt to environmental challenges.

In 2020 the Federal Government requested for an Additional Financing (AF) to scale up the activities of the NEWMAP and to cover the increased number of States that had joined the project. In response, the EIB approved EUR175million (equivalent to US$200 Million) as AF for implementing activities under the Project Components.

However, negotiations between the Federal Government and EIB on the EIB share of EUR175milliom could not be concluded on time, partly due to COVI9-19 and various institutional issues including challenges on the modalities for collaboration with the World Bank.

The EIB loan was eventually negotiated and signed by both parties on 9th and 29th December, 2020 respectively.

Consequently, the NEWMAP-EIB loan became effective in 2020, however implementation could not take place due to the stalled discussion between the World Bank and EIB for project supervision.

With the conclusion of IDA funding in June 2022, the project transitioned into a new phase supported by European Investment Bank (EIB) loan. This phase, titled the “Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion & Watershed Project,” builds on the successes of the initial project but shifts its focus primarily to infrastructure implementation. The decision to concentrate on infrastructure is based on the existing capacity within the states and local administrations, which has been sufficiently strengthened during the earlier phase.

The EIB-funded phase was initially approved to run for a period of two (2) years and thereafter, extended for a period of five (5) years.

Therefore, the NEWMAP-EIB shall be implemented over a five-year period with a loan amount of EUR 175 million. Its objectives remain aligned with those of the original project, which is to reduce vulnerability to erosion in targeted sub-watersheds. Emphasizing the mitigation of erosion impact, the enhancement of climate adaptation, the promotion of sustainable land management, the improvement of livelihoods, and the strengthening of institutional capacity. This phase aims to expand the project’s impact across additional regions, ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience in erosion-prone areas of Nigeria.