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The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Project Preparation and Development Facility (PPDF) has approved US$1.83 million (about M29.194 million) to support the Lesotho–Botswana Water Transfer Project, a major regional initiative aimed at addressing water scarcity and strengthening climate resilience across Southern Africa, SADC announced on Wednesday.
The funding will support two key preparatory components: an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) covering the proposed dam and water conveyance infrastructure, and a comprehensive feasibility study that will assess the financial, legal, and institutional frameworks necessary to ensure the project’s long-term sustainability.
The project involves constructing a multipurpose dam, primarily on the Makhaleng River, and a roughly 700-kilometer piped conveyance system to transfer water from Lesotho’s water-rich highlands through parts of South Africa to Botswana.
It will supply water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use, while also potentially generating hydropower. Estimates include around 30 MW at the dam site and additional capacity along the route. The total estimated capital cost for the full project is in the range of $2 billion.
Beyond alleviating Botswana’s growing water shortages, driven by population growth, urbanization, and climate variability, the initiative offers broader regional benefits.
Lesotho stands to gain revenue from water exports, similar to its existing arrangements under the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), opportunities for expanded irrigation and food security, and hydropower development.
South Africa could benefit from additional water supplies in transit areas facing unmet demands, while the project promotes transboundary cooperation within the Orange-Senqu River Basin.
The project is coordinated under the Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM), involving Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa, with Namibia as an observer in some discussions.
It aligns with SADC’s goals for regional integration and sustainable resource management.
The PPDF operates within the SADC–German cooperation framework, funded by the German government and implemented jointly by KfW (German Development Bank) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), SADC said this week.
“The collaboration underscores the importance of international partnerships in driving sustainable infrastructure development and regional integration,” it said.
Previous preparatory work has included desk studies, for example, funded by the World Bank, prefeasibility assessments, supported by the African Development Bank and others, and institutional/financial analyses.
The current funding marks a significant step toward full feasibility and eventual implementation.
SADC emphasised that these preparatory investments are foundational for a transformative project that will enhance water, energy, and food security for future generations, exemplifying effective regional collaboration in managing shared resources amid climate challenges.
It said: “By investing in preparatory studies, SADC is laying the groundwork for a transformative project that will secure water, energy, and food systems for generations to come, a milestone in regional cooperation and sustainable resource management.”
Summary
an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) covering the proposed dam and water conveyance infrastructure, and a comprehensive feasibility study that will assess the financial, legal, and institutional frameworks necessary to ensure the project’s long-term sustainability.
The project involves constructing a multipurpose dam, primarily on the Makhaleng River, and a roughly 700-kilometer piped conveyance system to transfer water from Lesotho’s water-rich highlands through parts of South Africa to Botswana.
“By investing in preparatory studies, SADC is laying the groundwork for a transformative project that will secure water, energy, and food systems for generations to come, a milestone in regional cooperation and sustainable resource management.
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