Lake Chad, once one of Africa’s largest inland water bodies, has lost about 90% of its surface area since the 1960s, leading to the loss of fishing, farming and livestock livelihoods for millions of people. This decline is linked to changes in climate patterns, increasing demand for water, and expansion of irrigation. Now, a decades-old proposal known as TransAqua has drawn renewed attention to the lake’s future. The ambitious plan, first presented by Italian engineers in 1982, suggests building a 2,400-kilometre-long canal to transfer water from the Congo River basin to Lake Chad at an estimated cost of billions of dollars. Supporters see it as a potential revitalization project, while critics warn of environmental and practical challenges.
How did Africa’s Lake Chad lose most of its water?
Lake Chad has undergone one of the most dramatic environmental changes in Africa. As reported by the BBC, since the mid-20th century, the lake has lost about 90% of its surface area, although the exact size has varied over time depending on rainfall patterns and seasonal changes.The decline has not come due to any one reason. Increasing demand for water, expansion of irrigation projects, increasing population and changing climatic conditions have put pressure on the lake system. Rivers that once regularly supplied irrigation with their waters have become less reliable, while communities around the basin remain dependent on shrinking resources.Its impact has been felt across the region where millions of people depend on farming, fishing and livestock. Areas that were once known for productive areas and busy fishing markets have now become difficult places to earn a livelihood.“We used to pass through corn fields on the way to the lake and there were huge numbers of boats going up and down the water at that time, and there were huge fish markets,” said Bale Bura, who grew up on the lake shore in the 1970s and now works for the Lake Chad Fishermen’s Association.
A 2,400-kilometre proposal that could reshape the future of Lake Chad
According to reports, the proposal to revitalize Lake Chad through a massive water transfer project was first developed by Italian engineering company Bonifica SpA in the early 1980s.The plan, known as TransAqua, would involve building a canal about 2,400 kilometers from tributaries of the Congo River system to the Chari River, the main water source feeding Lake Chad.The project was designed to redirect a portion of the Congo Basin’s water northward while building a network of dams that could generate electricity along the route. The engineers behind the proposal argued that the additional water could help restore the lake and create new opportunities for agricultural and infrastructure development.When the plans were circulated among African governments and international financial organizations in the 1980s, they received little response. The idea remained largely untouched for decades due to the scale of the project, its cost, and the political challenges involved. For many years, TransAqua existed more as an engineering concept than a realistic proposal.
How the collapse of Lake Chad fueled a wider crisis
The shrinking lake has impacted communities already struggling with poverty and limited opportunities. In many villages, youth have found fewer ways to earn a living as farming areas have declined and fishing has become difficult.Environmental changes have also been accompanied by the rise of extremist groups in the region, including Boko Haram. The disappearance of the lake is not considered the sole cause of conflict, but the loss of livelihoods has contributed to conditions where armed groups can find recruits among desperate and vulnerable communities.Reportedly, during a visit to north-east Nigeria in 2014, signs of neglect were visible around settlements near Lake Chad. Abandoned projects, damaged buildings and communities living in fear reflect years of instability. Residents talked about the lack of jobs and opportunities available for youth. For some, leaving home or joining armed groups appeared to be one of the few options.
An expensive vision to reshape Africa’s water landscape
At a conference focused on the future of Lake Chad, governments and engineers returned to the TransAqua proposal as a potential long-term solution.As the BBC has reported, the estimated costs are very high and the figures reach billions of dollars. A proposed funding effort was intended to support a broader Lake Chad recovery program, while engineering companies were asked to investigate whether the project could realistically be built.The Italian firm behind the concept worked with Chinese engineering expertise to assess the plan. Proponents argued that the amount of water transferred would represent only a small portion of the Congo River’s total discharge and would not necessarily interfere with other major hydropower ambitions in the region.The proposed canal would be a major part of the infrastructure, which would likely include roads and rail connections along with the waterway. Proponents have suggested that it could support agricultural, transportation, and industrial development along its route.Environmental groups have raised concerns about changes in the Congo Basin, one of the world’s most important river systems. Moving water between ecosystems on such a large scale can have consequences that are difficult to predict.
Looking to the future for the lake
The debate over Lake Chad reflects a broader challenge facing regions where climate pressures and human demands are colliding. Restoring the lake is not just a question of water flow. It also includes managing existing resources, improving local economies, and addressing conditions that have left communities vulnerable.For people living around the basin, the changes are already part of daily life. Farmers have seen growing areas disappear, fishermen have traveled further to catch fish, and communities have adapted to a landscape that no longer resembles the one remembered by older generations.Whether Transaqua’s vision will become a reality remains uncertain. The project represents one of the most ambitious efforts ever proposed to reshape a major African water system, but its future depends on funding, collaboration and careful assessment.For now, Lake Chad remains a symbol of both environmental damage and the difficult search for solutions on a changing continent.