The Governments of the Kingdom eSwatini and Mozambique officially launched the construction of the 2nd transboundary bulk water supply project under the SADC REGIONAL FUND FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND BASIC SANITATION (SADC Water Fund) on 6th of June 2024.
The €16 Million project, which is being implemented by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and part of the SADC-German Regional Development Cooperation funded by the German Cooperation via KfW Development Bank will ensure access to potable water as well as build climate resilience through shared infrastructure development.The €16 Million project, which is being implemented by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and part of the SADC-German Regional Development Cooperation funded by the German Cooperation via KfW Development Bank will ensure access to potable water as well as build climate resilience through shared infrastructure development.
This joint effort by all partners is especially important as the border towns of Lomahasha (eSwatini) and Namaacha (Mozambique) have been hit by water scarcity due to the reality of climate change, requiring that water be drawn 34km away from the shared Mbuluzi river. The project is tackling this issue and after completion will positively impact the lives of over 40,000 residents in both towns by establishing pipelines, reservoirs, water-pumping stations and bulk water distribution points to support water access to the communities.
Statements from Partners
[Kingdom of Eswatini]
Jabulile Mashwama, Managing Director of Eswatini Water Services Corporation, stated that the Corporation is proud to be part of this groundbreaking initiative exemplifying regional cooperation and a shared commitment to addressing water scarcity. The Lomahasha and Namaacha cross-border water supply project showcases our dedication to ensuring sustainable access to potable water for our countries and aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6 which addresses clean water and sanitation for all.
By collaborating with Mozambique who are our partners in the SADC Water Fund, we are not only enhancing water security but also building resilience against the impacts of climate change. The Eswatini Government has entrusted EWSC with the crucial mandate of providing water and sanitation services in Kingdom, and this project represents a significant step towards fulfilling that mandate, fostering stronger bonds, and ensuring a brighter future for both Lomahasha and Namaacha.
[Mozambique Government]
The National Director of Water Supply and Sanitation of Mozambique, Mr Raul Mutevuie. said: “With immense pride and emotion, we announce our participation in the Lomahasha-Namaacha Transboundary Water Supply Project. This project transcends mere infrastructure construction; it symbolizes hope, collaboration, and a better future for the communities of Lomahasha in Eswatini and Namaacha in Mozambique.
Water is a vital resource, and its scarcity poses a daily challenge for many. With this project, we are not only providing clean water but also improving health, quality of life, and economic development in the involved regions.
Our commitment to this project extends beyond mere infrastructure; it's a commitment to the people. It is the joy of seeing hope in the faces of every man, woman, and child for a future where water isn't a luxury but a fundamental right. This project marks a pivotal step in ensuring that this right is honored, allowing every family in Lomahasha and Namaacha to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable water supply.
We deeply appreciate the collaboration of our friends in Eswatini and our partners, particularly SADC, KfW Development Bank, DBSA, and all involved, for making this dream a reality. This is just the beginning of a journey of transformation and progress, and we look forward to continuing to work together to build a brighter and sustainable future for all”
[SADC Secretariat]
The Executive Secretary of SADC, His Excellency Mr. Elias M. Magosi hailed the launch of the Project and stated the cooperation between the two SADC Member States demonstrates, in practical terms, the unwavering commitment of the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of Mozambique, supported by our development partners, to uplift the living standards of the people, by continuing to prioritise projects that contribute significantly to regional integration and development, including transboundary water cooperation in the management and joint development and utilisation of their shared water resources.
The project is well aligned to our strategic direction espoused in the SADC Vision 2050, the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030, and the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015-2063, all of which recognise the importance of infrastructure in regional development and market integration. Water infrastructure plays an integral role in our industrialisation drive, as all priority regional value chains such as agro-processing, mineral beneficiation and pharmaceuticals are all dependent on water. Without water, these noble aspirations will remain elusive. Hence, the saying that, indeed, water is life!
[Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA]
Chuene Ramphele, Group Executive: Infrastructure Delivery Division at DBSA said, further to our commitment to supporting sustainable development, we continue to play a crucial role in addressing the water and sanitation challenges of the region through the SADC Water Fund. By positively impacting the lives of 30000 people, the Lomahasha and Namaacha cross-border water supply project exemplifies the power of regional cooperation in bolstering climate resilient solutions and addressing critical infrastructure needs.
[KfW/German government]
Dr. Michael Feiner, Chargé d’Affaires at the German Embassy to Mozambique, said: “Droughts and water scarcity in Mozambique and Eswatini are increasingly being exacerbated by Climate Change, affecting local communities. This project shows how cross-border cooperation and regional partnerships can increase investment in resilient water infrastructure to achieve a tangible results for SADC member states and citizens alike.”
KfW Country Director for Southern Africa, Silke Stadtmann proclaimed, ‘it is a great pleasure to have finally come to this day, a culmination of all the work and planning to celebrate the sod turning of the Water Supply project under the SADC Water Fund here in Lomahasha and Namaacha.’
The €16 million project is financed by the SADC Water Fund which is hosted and managed by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) on behalf of SADC, with the support of the German Government through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and KfW Development Bank. The Mozambiquan and Eswatini Governments, are also co-financing the infrastructure project to improve water security. The SADC Project Preparation & Development Fcility (PPDF) supported by the project preparation phase with about €1.8 million euros.
More information on the SADC Water Fund pipelined projects:
https://www.dbsa.org/case-studies/transfrontier-projects-sadc-water-and-sanitation-fund
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