Harare , (New Ziana) -Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministers have shown growing interest in the proposed landmark gravity-driven Congo-to-Zambezi water transfer project, that could reshape the future of the region.
The plan was presented in Harare on Thursday by Engineer Elijah Chifamba during a joint meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for Energy and Water.
SADC Ministers are set to hold a closed-door session on Friday to deliberate on the proposal and chart a way forward on the potentially transformative regional initiative.
The proposal addresses a long-standing challenge, namely the high costs of pumping water across vast distances from the Congo River Basin with previous attempts to implement the transfer failing largely due to the enormous energy and operational expenses required for pumping and, the new model removes that barrier by proposing a gravity-based system.
“This is the selling point of this project, the water flows by gravity. There are no operating costs, no pumping stations, and it creates opportunities for hydro-power generation at Lake Kariba and Lake Cabora Bassa,” said Chifamba.
The engineering breakthrough not only offers cost savings, but promises multiple regional benefits, including drought resilience, power generation, and ecosystem protection.
By directing a constant flow of water, estimated at 500 cubic metres per second, from the Congo into the Zambezi system, the project could increase Zambezi River inflows by roughly 36 percent.
That increase, according to Chifamba, could raise the Zambezi River Basin’s hydropower generation potential from the current 20 000 Megawatts to 26 000 Megawatts, which would benefit not only Zambia and Zimbabwe, which share the Kariba Dam, but also Mozambique’s Cabora Bassa Dam and the wider Southern African Power Pool.
Moreover, the proposed transfer includes upstream water storage before Victoria Falls, a move that could safeguard the iconic natural wonder, which has been under severe stress from recurring droughts.
“The water stored upstream is going to protect the Falls. We’re not just moving water, we’re preserving one of Africa’s most important heritage sites,” said Chifamba.
Tourism revival is another anticipated benefit as Kariba, a once-bustling lakeside resort town, has faced hotel closures due to erratic water levels and a stable water supply could breathe life back into the local economy.
Additionally, downstream nations Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa could tap into stored water, easing their own water constraints.
The project’s implications extend to energy planning, as Chifamba explained that all proposed hydro-power facilities, including the planned Batoka Gorge plant, would need redesigning based on the increased water volumes.
“This is a game-changer. With this water flow, load shedding could become a thing of the past. Whether we have drought or not, there will be constant water supply,” he said.
New Ziana
