Lake Tanganyika is one of the world’s natural wonders. Holding about 17 percent of the globe’s surface freshwater, it is also the oldest and the deepest lake in Africa.

Bordering four countries (Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Zambia), it offers a source of livelihood for over 12 million people.

A biodiversity hotspot

The lake is home to over 700 species of fish that are found nowhere else in the world and borders several national parks and nature reserves that are of worldwide significance for the protection of wildlife. The region includes forest areas that are among the few remaining habitats for chimpanzees.

Factors of decline

The region has been plagued by recurring episodes of violence with severe humanitarian consequences. Poverty is rampant, hunger and environmental degradation is proceeding at alarming rates. The lake basin is increasingly vulnerable to the effects of human activities, such as deforestation, unsustainable agricultural and fishing practices, mining activities and pollution.

The magnitude of these threats is intensified by the impacts of climate change and of the population growth in the basin which, at a rate of 2 to 3 percent annually, is among the highest on the planet.

Phased interventions

Direct causes for these threats include lack of resources such as skills, infrastructure and funds; extreme poverty and limited sustainable livelihood options for the basin population.

FOLT, with its partners since 2012 has been working hard to improve the lives of the 12+million people living in the Lake Tanganyika Basin and the ecosystems they depend upon.