Multinational - Strengthening Transboundary Cooperation and Integrated Natural Resource Management in the Songwe River Basin Project’ (STCINRM-SRBP)

The ‘Strengthening Transboundary Cooperation and Integrated Natural Resource Management in the Songwe River Basin Project’ (STCINRM-SRBP) aims at addressing the challenges of the basin and the Songwe River Basin Commission (SRBC). The Songwe River Basin (SRB) covers an estimated area of 4,200 km2 and is part of the wider Zambezi River basin. The project is critical to prepare the ground for the implementation of the ambitious SRBDP by addressing the problem of environmental degradation. Indeed, the river forms part of the formal border between Malawi and mainland Tanzania. Increasing competition for space, water and natural resources is degrading the Songwe River Basin. Both riparian countries ratified in 2017 the convention creating the Songwe River Basin Commission (SRBC) to sustainably manage the basin natural resources and implement the Songwe River Basin Development Programme (SRBDP). The SRBDP aims to implement a multi-sectoral solution to capitalize on the opportunities available in the basin and enhance adaptation to climate change, mitigating its adverse environmental impacts and the resulting effects on food production. The heart of the SRBDP is a multipurpose dam (115 m high, 330 Mm3) which will supply water for a 180 MW hydropower plant, 3000 ha of irrigation scheme in each country and control floods in the lower part of the basin. It will also provide water for 86 000 dwellers. The project therefore seeks to strengthen the institutional framework and capacity of the Secretariat of the Songwe River Basin Commission (SRBC) so as to ensure more sustainable use of natural resources as well as better river basin ecosystem maintenance. This will facilitate investments to exploit food production, safe and clean water, power and economic opportunities, while securing environmental sustainability. The cost of the project is estimated at USD 6,392,694. Its duration is 4 years (2019-2023).