Environmental and social ambition

Nachtigal, a project with strong environmental and social objectives

Social support that aims to be exemplary and responsible for the populations directly impacted by the Project

6 families are concerned by the resettlement. All of them have already been resettled, in significantly improved conditions of comfort and safety.

Fair and transparent compensation has been paid to each of the affected persons whose assets or property are impacted by the Project, through a process conducted in close collaboration with the authorities.

Farmers whose agricultural activities are located on the right-of-way of the dam and the operator’s housing estate have access to replacement land chosen in consultation. Farmers whose impacted areas exceed 1000m2 are supplied with improved seeds and plants and are supported by agricultural engineers.


The fishermen and fishmongers concerned are supported in the development of their activity with, firstly, the acquisition of fishing equipment, then assistance with training in new fishing techniques adapted to the future reservoir where a landing stage will be built.


A vast program of aid for the reconversion of workers identified in the artisanal river sand extraction sector is being implemented. This program includes financial compensation and support for reconversion. A clause favouring local employment is included in the specifications of the future sand operator of the reservoir and on the construction site.

Important and varied local economic benefits

Direct and indirect jobs creation are generated by the Project. The construction site currently employs more than 3000 workers.

Local employment is systematically encouraged: all construction companies’ contracts include clauses favouring local employment.

Local companies are stakeholders in the Project, either as main contractors (CE Contract) or as subcontractors to the main contractors (Civil Engineering, Electromechanics, Transmission Line).


The creation of new economic activities in the reservoir: An industrial river sand extraction unit Increased fishing potential in the reservoir.


A local development action plan to support the economy and improve local infrastructure is being implemented to improve the capacity to accommodate the flow of workers generated by the Project. It concerns in particular the following areas: water, electricity, health, education, agriculture.

Innovative and long-term actions to preserve the environment

Very early on in the construction process, environmental issues were thoroughly considered in accordance with international best practice.

Specific studies concerning biodiversity have enabled the development of compensation strategies for species at stake (aquatic plants, fish populations).

NHPC commits with its contractors to control the environmental impacts of site activities in accordance with international best practice through contractual commitments.


Programs to improve knowledge and monitoring and evaluation have been carried out since 2016 and will be continued during the construction and operation phases of the project. NHPC relies on national and international expertise, notably in the fields of ichthyology and botany.


A long-term commitment to conservation through a support program for the Mpem and Djim National Park, as one of the measures to compensate for the impacts of the project has been developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife.

A Complaints and Request Management Mechanism in place since 2015

The Project has set up an E&S team, including a Requests and Complaints Management Officer, since 2014 in Batchenga, to ensure an ongoing dialogue with the people affected by the Project.

More than 900 people supported since the implementation of the Request and Complaints Mechanism in April 2015

L’Officier de Gestion des Requêtes et des
Plaintes avec une Personne Affectée par le Projet