Promoting Water Resources and Infrastructure Investments in Zimbabwe

In a quest to leverage funding for projects in the water sector, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate (MEWC) in collaboration with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) hosted a Water Resources and Infrastructure Investment Conference at Rainbow Towers in Harare from the 24th to the 26th of June 2015. The conference attracted more than 400 delegates and was officially opened by the Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Honourable E.D Mnangagwa and was also graced by the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation for the Republic of South Africa, the Honourable Pamela Tshwete and Minister of Environment, Water and Climate, the Honourable Saviour Kasukuwere.

Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWP SA) was one of the sponsors of the Conference. Professor Emmanuel Manzungu, GWP SA consultant was afforded the platform to present on his findings on bottlenecks in climate proofed water projects preparation and financing in Zimbabwe: implications for investment and prioritisation. His work falls under the Water, Climate and Development Programme (WACDEP) being implemented in Zimbabwe. The focus of his work feeds into Work Package 4 on Investment.

The key objectives of the Conference were to; give information to potential investors on 10 selected viable water infrastructure projects with designs and studies that were done and attract investors to put firm expressions of interest on the development or partnering with Government in the development of water infrastructure projects.

A total of five projects, namely Kunzvi-Musami, Glassblock, Muda-Nyatsime, Kondo and Kudu dams, received interest from potential investors. The projects are estimated to cost a total of over US $2 billion.

GWP SA also had an exhibition booth where a total of 68 delegates showed interest in the work done by GWP SA and requested for further literature to be shared with them. The conference will be held annually with a view to taking stock of progress and challenges on existing water infrastructure projects and attract new investors in the water sector.