A new creation, the Niger Basin Observatory must be integrated into the organization of the NBA as a complementary operational structure to the Technical Directorate with which it is important to ensure that there is no overlap of activities and prerogatives.

Mission 1: Monitor the evolution of the Basin in its different components
The Observatory aims to monitor the basin in its hydrological and environmental (natural as well as human environment) and also socio-economic aspects.
To fulfill this mission, this structure will have to collect, format, process and store data on these aspects.

Some of these data will be directly produced by other structures of the NBA and the projects that have all as goal - in the area that is their raison d'être - to collect, process and produce technical information. The Niger HYCOS even have its own website for the dissemination of hydrological data that it has helped to collect and process.
Same should be the case for the ADB project on silting and other upcoming projects. The Observatory will therefore have “in house” specific data made reliable and processed, that it will be possible to “rework” so as to integrate them into a broader context.

Mission 2: Produce regular information on the development of the basin
This structure cannot have as aim to observe in the sole purpose of accumulating and storing data. That is why the Observatory should develop further the skills needed to analyze the data collected and implement a system to disseminate useful information to both policy makers and economic operators and development stakeholders.
This information must relate to different aspects of hydrology and environment in a sustainable socio-economic development viewpoint.

This directorate seeks for financial resources required by the activities and projects of the organization, ensures compliance of the use of these resources and makes the legal statements and records. It is headed by a Director of Administration and Finance and may rely on two divisions:

The Finance and Accounting Division which is responsible for:
-developing and monitoring budgets in order to control operating costs and ensure major equilibria;
-setting up the financial management tools in the medium and short-term financing plan, cash budgets ...;
-providing the ES and operation managers with financial and management information required under optimum conditions of reliability and timeliness;
-producing periodic reports and legal documents;
-establishing the accounting information management system of the structure. The Human Resources and General Administration Division which manages the NBA staff (payroll, evaluation, training and human resource management) and the coordination of organization’s staff. As such, it would work to:
-ensure the continuous adaptation of human resources to the structure’s objectives and their optimum utilization;
-ensure compliance with the constraints of social legislation;
-monitor the social atmosphere.