Climate change is a major challenge for humanity due to its numerous
impacts on people and the environment, which requiresmultiple strategies to address
it. West Africa, particularly Ivory Coast, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Senegal are
confronted with the full impact of that challenge. This study seeks to analyze climate
change by looking at the climate characteristics and rainfall duration recorded at
forty selected stations. Senegal and Burkina Faso stretch over three climatic zones
that include the Sahelian zone in the North, the North-Sudanian zone in the center,
and the South-Sudanian zone in the South. For Ivory Coast and Benin, the northern
and central areas are, respectively, located in theNorth-Sudanian and South-Sudanian
climate zones, whereas the South is covered by the Guinean zone. In all four countries,
break tests and water balance are characterized by the Standardized Precipitation
Index, whichmeasures changingwater resources.Our research shows significant
rainfall variability, with important impacts on water resources. For data from Ivory
Coast from 1921 to 2016, there occurred a sharp decrease in the early 1980s; a similar
decrease occurred in the late 1960s in Benin, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. This led
to a noticeable decrease in surface water, while underground water, especially deep
water, was less affected. However, a slight increase in rainfall is noted in Burkina
Faso and Senegal in the 1990s.As local populations have grown aware of the negative
effects of rainfall changes, they have initiated action to protect and manage water
resources in a sensible and efficient way to preserve incomes from farming, grazing,
and fishing. For this context, implementation of appropriate strategies likely to alleviate
the harmful consequences of climate change must be tackled head-on. This
can only be achieved through a wider knowledge of climate trends, coordination of
stakeholders, and a broader dialogue to find the best communal solutions.

Climate change · Water resources · Impacts · Adaptation strategies · West africa