The Shire River Basin Comprehensive Groundwater Study, initiated after the TDA’s development, led to the Shire River-Aquifer System Strategic Action Plan (SAP) creation in April 2019. This plan was developed collaboratively with various governmental bodies from Malawi and Mozambique. The SAP includes three phases: assessing the system, envisioning the future, and planning for a shared future.

Key actions identified include:

• Establishing a joint Shire River Basin Committee for coordinated water management.
• Identifying areas for joint research.
• Creating a Memorandum of Understanding for data sharing between Malawi and Mozambique.
• Developing a data-sharing portal linked to the Zambezi Water Resources Information System (ZAMWIS).
• Promoting joint project proposals for sustainable resource management.
• Training personnel in data collection.

To address groundwater data gaps identified in the TDA, SADC-GMI, in partnership with Malawi, Mozambique, and ZAMCOM, plans to conduct a comprehensive research study to gather and synthesize groundwater data, facilitate data sharing, and promote transboundary water management.

The research study aims to establish water resources’ hydrological and hydrogeological status in the Shire Basin, considering climate change scenarios and enhancing data on the aquifer-river system. It will also explore methods for promoting groundwater recharge to protect these resources. A small team of experienced groundwater professionals is expected to complete the assignment within 18 months.

Key tasks include:

• Digital Compendium of Hydro(geo)logical Data: Collecting and sourcing hydro(geo)logical data from various country databases over time and space.
• Groundwater Situational Analysis Report: Characterizing and conceptualizing the aquifer(s) through literature review and remote sensing.
• Groundwater Hydrocensus: Collecting and analyzing groundwater samples for selected physiochemical parameters, following recognized procedures and protocols, with an agreed number of samples for hydrochemical analysis based on spatial density, in collaboration with SADC-GMI and relevant government agencies in Malawi and Mozambique.