Limpopo project progressing well

Summary

The project aims to achieve integrated, cross-sectoral, ecosystem-based management of the Limpopo River Basin.

The implementation of the “Integrated Transboundary River Basin Management for the Sustainable Development of the Limpopo River Basin,” project is progressing well, providing a platform to enhance the livelihoods of communities living within the basin.

The Project Steering Committee (PSC) – comprising LIMCOM Member States (Botswana Mozambique South Africa and Zimbabwe), together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) – said this on 10 December 2025 in Maputo, Mozambique.

Speaking at the 7th PSC meeting, LIMCOM Chair, represented by Dr. Kene Dick of Botswana said it is critical for partners to continue working together to ensure success of the project.

“As Member States, we are pleased with the manner in which the project is being implemented, and we urge all partners to maintain the momentum,” said Dr. Dick.

Her remarks were echoed by the UNDP and GWPSA, both of whom reaffirmed their full commitment to the project.

LIMCOM is implementing the project, with the UNDP in South Africa serving as the Implementing Agency and GWPSA as the Executing Agency, with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

“We wish to thank LIMCOM Member States for supporting the project and we remain committed to ensuring its success,” Dr. Gloria Kulaya Kiondo, the Deputy Resident Representative at UNDP South Africa said.

GWPSA Transboundary Water Governance and Environment Specialist, Dr. Loreen Katiyo added, saying “since its inception, the project is registering positive progress and stakeholders must continue working together.”

A mid‑term review of the project, conducted in March 2025 by an external consultant, also noted satisfactory progress in project implementation.

The project, which seeks to achieve integrated, cross-sectoral, ecosystem-based management of the Limpopo River is structured around five main components as follows:

Component 1: Capacity Building of LIMCOM and its Member States for joint planning and the basin-wide Strategic Action Programme (SAP) and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) implementation.

Component 2: Filling critical knowledge gaps to support joint planning and future development scenario analysis.

Component 3: Informed Strategic Planning and Decision Making to implement the basin-wide IWRM (Science-to-Governance).

Component 4: Participatory IWRM Sustainable Land Management (SLM) implementation pilots.

Component 5: Knowledge exchange with other River Basin Organizations and information sharing for replication and upscaling.