The Zambezi River Basin, one of Africa’s most crucial transboundary water systems, has received a landmark $703 million investment to strengthen climate resilience and sustainable development across its vast region.

The funding package jointly provided by the African Development Bank ($388 million), the World Bank ($255 million), and the Climate Investment Funds ($60 million) was announced on Thursday during the 12th Ordinary Meeting of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) Council of Ministers, held in Windhoek, Namibia.

Unveiling the investment, Namibia’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani, described the plan as a major step toward securing the future of nearly 40 million people who rely on the basin for water, food, and energy. Namibia currently chairs ZAMCOM and has been instrumental in building consensus among the eight member states.

The five-year initiative, formally endorsed on 28 February 2025, is titled the “Nature, People and Climate Investment Plan for Africa’s Zambezi River Basin Region.” It aims to address intensifying climate risks, including severe floods and prolonged droughts, which have increasingly disrupted lives and livelihoods across the basin.

Covering approximately 1.3 million square kilometres and shared by Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, the Zambezi River Basin plays a vital role in regional agriculture, fisheries, energy production, and domestic water supply.

ZAMCOM, the intergovernmental body responsible for fostering cooperation over the shared watercourse, said the funding marks a significant milestone in aligning regional development with climate adaptation. 

The initiative will focus on enhancing hydrometeorological services, modernising early warning systems, upgrading water infrastructure, and promoting nature-based solutions. It also prioritises inclusive community development to ensure local populations are central to climate resilience strategies.

Experts say the plan reflects a growing recognition of the need for coordinated, science-based approaches to managing Africa’s natural resources in an era of increasing climate uncertainty.