The Development of the Limpopo Groundwater Strategy
Background
The Limpopo Basin is vital transboundary region in Southern Africa, spanning approximately 416,296 km² across Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, supporting diverse ecosystems and millions of people. The Limpopo Basin is crucial for supporting various ecosystems and livelihoods. It provides essential resources for agriculture, fishing, and livestock rearing, benefiting approximately 14 million people. Living in the region.
Like surface water, groundwater reserves often cross international borders, potentially sparking disputes among nations that rely on this essential resource. Disagreements over shared groundwater can arise from a host of issues, including inequitable resource distribution, diverse water needs and economic dependencies, governance challenges, and varying effects of climate change on water availability. Effectively managed transboundary aquifers have the potential to foster goodwill and collective action among nations, whereas mismanagement could lead to conflicts and undermine the sustainable use of these water resources.
The basin is facing significant environmental threats, including deforestation, mining and pollution, which jeopardize its health and sustainability. Climate Change exacerbates these issues, leading to increased flooding in Mozambique and frequent droughts in other parts of the basin.
Therefore, it is crucial to have robust governance strategies for fair and sustainable resource distribution. By embracing such collaborative measures, states can move towards a more peaceful and cooperative management of shared groundwater resources.
Project objectives
The objective of the strategy is to advocate for groundwater strategic value, lay out a clear path for equitable use, long-term protection, and sustainable management among the Basin’s Member States. The strategy, along with its implementation framework, is designed to provide a structured approach and starting point for comprehensive reform in the way groundwater resources are developed and managed across riparian Member States.
Project progress
The Strategy was completed in 2023.
Project achievements
The development of the strategy was completed in 2023 in a comprehensive consultation process with all the riparian Member States. The final strategy is with the Limpopo Watercourse Commission for implementation with riparian Member States. LIMCOM and riparian States now have a robust framework to use in navigating the Sustainable groundwater management in the basin.