Context
Southern Africa’s water resources are unevenly distributed, both seasonally and geographically. At the same time, the socio-economic development of the SADC Member States varies widely. It is little wonder, therefore, that transboundary water management presents a unique challenge in the region. Constantly rising demand and increasing levels of water pollution place the shared water resources under tremendous pressure. This is particularly true for transboundary river basins, where the management of water resources has not always been well coordinated.
Infrastructural developments intended to safeguard water supplies have become unbalanced across the region, and a number of other factors now influence the situation. While South Africa is approaching the limits of its water storage capacity, in the DR Congo a tremendous potential for hydropower remains untapped and Namibia has recently turned its attention to water recycling and desalination. Meanwhile, the steady expansion of agricultural land use in the headwaters of various rivers in Angola is set to affect downstream water availability in the medium to long term. Overall, the quality of water and the capacity to deliver water for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes varies greatly from country to country.
Objective
Human, institutional and organisational capacities have been strengthened in the SADC water sector. Basin-wide integrated water resources management plans have been developed; water infrastructure in different regions has improved, and tailor-made training programmes and information and knowledge management systems have been established, including awareness-raising measures.
Approach
GIZ is implementing the programme on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). In their roles as cofinancing agencies, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) are making significant contributions. It takes a multi-dimensional approach, operating at three levels of intervention:
1. the entire SADC region,
2. transboundary river basins and their organisations,
3. local municipalities and water utilities.
At each level, GIZ advises and assists its partners in the three strategic areas of water governance, water management and infrastructure development.
At all levels and in each area, GIZ’s carries out human, institutional and organisational capacity development measures. These include tailor-made collective training measures, the promotion of legislative processes and cross-border parliamentary dialogues. GIZ also advises the SADC Secretariat on developing and using knowledge and information-management systems, and on conducting awareness-raising campaigns. This well structured, holistic approach is complemented by a range of development partnerships, both with the private sector and with civil society organisations.
The multidimensional approach encourages the sustainable and equitable use of the shared water resources in the SADC region. It counteracts conflicts and achieves peace dividends by promoting transparency and trust in the transboundary cooperation arrangements. At the same time, it is also providing a basis on which to deal successfully with the impacts of climate change and the looming challenges of water scarcity.
The German Government has also been asked to assist the SADC Secretariat with the coordination of support provided by other international cooperating partners in the water sector at the regional level.
Results achieved so far
The assistance so far provided by Germany has done much to strengthen the institutional and organizational capacity of the SADC Water Division to deliver demand-driven services to its member states. At the same time, through the delegated cooperation with Australia and the UK, the German Government is putting into practice the requirements of the international harmonisation agenda.
Substantial progress has been made in establishing and reinforcing river-basin organisations in the region, with essential support provided to the Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) and the Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM). For example, in an effort initiated and still supported by GIZ, ORASECOM has established a special committee to streamline the assistance it receives from various international partners. This is a crucial step for the coordinated and collective management of the entire basin.
GIZ’s local level involvement in development partnerships with the private sector includes one collaboration with the brewer SABMiller to safeguard water supply chains and improve water quality, and another with Sasol New Energy to help conserve water and manage water demand effectively. Further such partnerships are already being planned.
Through GIZ and KfW Entwicklungsbank, the German Government assists SADC with a model infrastructure project, the ‘Kunene Transbounday Water Supply Project’, which involves both Angola and Namibia in a cross-border supply scheme. While paving the way for future developments, the project is also a test case for rules and guidelines of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Germany is also working with its Australian and the UK partners to support the creation of independent river-basin organisations for both the Kunene and Cuvelai river basins. These organisations – to be approved by the respective ministers in Angola and Namibia – will adhere to the provisions set out in the ‘Revised SADC Protocol on Shared Waters’.
In 2011, GIZ provided the SADC Secretariat and the SADC Member States with assistance in identifying regional investment opportunities related to water infrastructure. A number of schemes were planned for implementation from 2012 onwards. Likewise in 2011, GIZ also advised the SADC Secretariat on the development of the third Regional Strategic Action Plan for Integrated Water Resources Management, and on the development of a regional strategy for climate change adaption in the water sector.