Project title
Songwe River Basin Development Programme (Project RG‐4)
Project sponsors
The project proponents are the Governments of Malawi and Tanzania.
Participating countries
Malawi and Tanzania
Objectives
The overall goal of the Songwe River Basin Development Programme (SRBDP) is to
contribute to improved living conditions of the basin population and the socio‐
economic development in Malawi and Tanzania. The specific objective is to prepare
designs and joint investment projects for implementation, and to create an effective
enabling environment for trans‐boundary water resources management in the
Songwe River Basin through the creation of the Songwe River Basin Authority.
Project description
The project is structured in five components:
Preparation of a shared vision towards 2050 and a ten‐year SRBDP;
Detailed design and preparation of priority investments as a major task;
Environmental and social safeguarding of the SRBDP by means of a strategic
environmental and social assessment and environmental and social impact
assessment for the programme;
Establishment of a Songwe River Basin Authority and associated IWRM capacity
building at local level; and
Support to project management and resource mobilisation for the
implementation of capital investments under the programme.
In respect of water sector infrastructure development projects, the SRBDP will
6
3
construct the lower dam with a capacity of 10 x 10 m , which will irrigate some
200 ha and also generate about 153 MW. It is estimated that the project will benefit
some 250 000 people who will have improved water supply and sanitation services.
Expected results
The construction of a dam to irrigate 200 ha of land and generate 153 MW to the
benefit of some 250 000 people who will have improved water supply and sanitation
services.
Ongoing related activities in the Sida has facilitated initial meetings in the two riparian states, with the AfDB having
region
provided grant funds for feasibility studies in 1994.
Description of national plan to the Each country to nominate and mandate existing institutions to spearhead the project
project
for final handover to the Songwe River Basin Authority once created.
Status
The project can be considered to be in Phase 4 of the ICA Project Development
Phases.
Next steps
The next project development stage is final designs to be conducted from 2012 to
2013 and tendering for construction in 2014. Implementation and construction of the
associated project components is expected to then start in 2015 and will be
completed in 2021.
Business model
Investment project financed as a BOT, grants or from loans.
Main parties in place
Governments of Malawi and Tanzania
Main parties to be procured
Possible project financiers are the AfDB, Sida and the WB.
Project challenges
The major project challenges include:
Obtaining final approval to proceed with the project from both governments;
Timely sourcing of project finances;
The establishment of the Songwe River Basin Authority, which will take time but
will contribute to the consolidation of the good cooperation between the two
104