Lake Kariba became a symbol of unity this Wednesday as Zambia and Zimbabwe joined regional partners to commemorate the 15th Africa Border Day, stressing how shared waters and well-managed boundaries can drive peace, trade, and development.
Speaking at a lakeside event, a representative of the International Organization for Migration said there could be “no more fitting place” to mark the day than Kariba, where “two nations, two peoples, and a shared natural resource come together every day in the spirit of cooperation.”
The IOM official stressed that Lake Kariba connects people, supports livelihoods, and proves the value of cooperation.
“For communities that live and work around Lake Kariba, mobility is a part of everyday life. People cross this shared space to trade, access services, sustain livelihoods, and maintain social and cultural ties,” the IOM chief said.
“When boundaries are not well understood, individuals may unknowingly cross into another country’s territory, leading to misunderstandings, disputes, arrests, loss of equipment, and tensions.”
The event coincided with the ongoing installation of floating buoys along the Zimbabwe-Zambia boundary on the lake. The markers, placed roughly one kilometre apart, aim to improve navigation and safety for fishermen, tour operators, and border communities. The first 10km stretch runs from the Kariba Dam wall to the Sampa Karuma group of islands.
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IOM commended the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe, the African Union Border Programme, German Agency for International Cooperation, and local authorities for backing the initiative. Zimbabwe and Zambia have also agreed on standard operating procedures to manage accidental or illegal crossings fairly.
Officials stressed that the new buoys do not change fishing rights, island ownership, or immigration laws. They are simply visual aids to prevent unintentional crossings.
Zambezi River Authority chief executive Munyaradzi Munodawafa said Lake Kariba is a “very powerful symbol of what African nations can achieve through cooperation.” He noted the event could not be held at the dam wall itself due to ongoing refurbishment works, but said the lake remains central to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goals.
“Water is central to human dignity, public health, food security, energy production, climate resilience, and economic transformation,” Munodawafa said. “Many of Africa’s most important water resources cross national boundaries. Their sustainable management cannot be achieved by one country acting alone.”
He added: “Today’s commemoration reminds us that borders should not merely separate states. When they are clearly defined, peacefully managed, and supported by strong institutions, borders become bridges — bridges for trade, human interaction, shared prosperity, and sustainable development.”
A SADC representative told delegates that “borders are not walls that are dividing our peoples, but bridges connecting them.” The bloc is supporting efforts through its Guidelines for Coordinated Border Management, covering legal frameworks, inter-agency cooperation, and anti-corruption measures.
The SADC official cited the Zambia-Zimbabwe border as an example of transformation, citing the 24/7 operation of the Victoria Falls and Chirundu Border Post.
Progress was also reported on the 2,140km DRC-Zambia border, where dialogue has advanced reaffirmation and demarcation efforts.