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The Niger River,
the third longest river in Africa after the Nile and
Congo, begins in south east Guinea, then runs through
Mali, Niger and Nigeria
finally ending its 2,600 mile journey as it flows into into
the Atlantic Ocean through the Gulf of Guinea. As
the Niger river twists and turns through Mali, its
flow is controlled through a series of dams. The Selingue Dam
(below) is used
for both hydro electric power and irrigation purposes and two
others dams at Sotuba south of Bamako and Markala are both used
to irrigate neighbouring lands for farming purposes.
Although a land locked country, the presence of the Niger
River actually makes Mali Africa's third ranking fish producer
and the fishing industry employs thousands of fishermen
providing much needed work and income for the poorest in
society. After the Niger River leaves Mali is progresses through
Niger flowing through its capital Niamey and is joined by a number of tributaries including the Faroul, Dargol, Sirba, Garoubi, and Tapoa.
For most of the year the river is very shallow as it runs
through Niger, making it unsuitable for transportation and there
are a number of rapids. Work is currently being undertaken on the Kandadji dam on the
Niger about 112 miles north-west of Niamey which is expected to
complete in the next few years and will be over five miles long. The dam is intended to provide
water for the dry season as well as irrigation for land
downstream in addition to hydroelectric power.
The Niger River then goes on to form the boundary between Niger
and Benin before entering Nigeria and completing it journey in
the Niger Delta as shown below in this map of west Africa
detailing the route of the Niger River. The video below gives a good overview of the Niger
river and its role in the daily life of Mali.
Niger River: Niger Country Profile
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Niger River: Niger Delta
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Niger River: Main Lakes of Africa
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