SOUTHERN Africa countries have taken a decisive step towards strengthening regional economic integration and resilience as a major multi-country initiative anchored on the Zambezi River Basin begins to unlock a pipeline of investments expected to transform livelihoods for more than 50 million people.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (Zamcom) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), signals a structured and strategic pathway not only for infrastructure and climate resilience, but also for expanding economic opportunities, including access to international markets for skilled workers across Zimbabwe and the wider southern Africa region.
The programme is designed to convert a long-term regional development blueprint to bankable, investment-ready projects spanning water infrastructure, irrigation, hydropower and food systems, while positioning the Zambezi Basin as a hub for climate-resilient growth and cross-border economic participation.
According to Zamcom executive secretary Felix Ngamlagosi, the total investment requirement for implementation of the strategic plan for the Zambezi Watercourse (ZSP: 2018-40) amounts to about US$28,3 billion, covering a pipeline of 282 identified projects.
“This reflects both the scale of ambition and the opportunity before us,” he said.
The initiative, launched at an inception meeting in Harare recently, is designed to convert an ambitious regional blueprint to bankable, investment-ready projects spanning water infrastructure, irrigation, hydropower and food systems.
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“For Zimbabwe, this translates to more than just development finance; it creates a structured ecosystem where skilled professionals, engineers, agricultural experts and technical workers can plug into large-scale, internationally- funded projects, effectively linking local talent to global capital and expertise,” Ngamlagosi said.
“This calls for innovative approaches, strengthened partnerships and the mobilisation of new and diverse financing mechanisms.”
Spanning eight countries — Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe — the Zambezi River Basin represents one of Africa’s most critical economic and ecological zones.
“With over two-thirds of its population dependent on rain-fed agriculture and 44% living below the poverty line, the stakes are high,” Ngamlagosi said.
The new programme aims to reverse these vulnerabilities through climate-resilient investments that stimulate job creation and cross-border economic participation.
At the heart of the initiative is the Strategic Basin Investment Programme, which aims to address critical infrastructure gaps while strengthening food systems, environmental sustainability and livelihoods.
The programme’s integrated “Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems” nexus approach is expected to drive industrialisation and improve living standards across the region.
FAO has committed catalytic funding through its Technical Cooperation Programme, injecting an initial US$250 000 to kickstart the investment framework.
While modest, the funding is strategically positioned to unlock significantly larger flows from development banks, climate funds and private investors.
“The Zambezi River Basin sustains livelihoods, ecosystems, food systems and energy production for more than 50 million people across eight countries.
“At the same time, it is increasingly exposed to climate variability, environmental degradation and socio-economic pressures, which require a collective and basin-wide response,” said Patrice Talla, FAO’s subregional coordinator for southern Africa.