The Limpopo River Basin, spanning across Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, is a critical watercourse supporting diverse socio-economic activities such as eco-tourism, irrigation, and mining. However, managing this shared resource requires transboundary cooperation. Recognizing this, the Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM) and the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) are collaborating to promote sustainable development and conservation. 

In August and September 2024, LIMCOM, in partnership with GLTFCA, launched the first Limpopo Joint Basin Survey (JBS) and Environmental Flows (Eflows) assessment. This initiative aims to evaluate the Limpopo River’s health, water quality, and ecosystem integrity, informing evidence-based policymaking for the sustainable management of the basin. 

The survey involved diverse stakeholders, including transfrontier conservation area managers and local communities. Residents, such as Joseph Moilwa from Botswana’s Shashe River area, welcomed the initiative, recognizing its importance for future generations. The assessment integrated citizen science with advanced research techniques, providing a holistic understanding of the river’s resources. 

The JBS and Eflows assessment will conclude in March 2025, laying the foundation for an updated Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) plan. One key outcome is the establishment of a transboundary river health monitoring team, ensuring continuous oversight of water resources. 

Climate change has increased the frequency and severity of floods in the Limpopo River Basin, causing significant damage to livelihoods, livestock, and infrastructure. LIMCOM has responded by enhancing flood forecasting and early warning systems. The GLTFCA contributes to this effort by monitoring peak river discharges and validating gauge data in remote areas, improving the region’s disaster preparedness. 

To support flood management, LIMCOM is installing new hydrometric equipment across the basin to measure water flow, levels, and quality. These tools aid in implementing environmental flows, ensuring that sufficient water remains in the river system to sustain ecosystem services. 

The new hydrometric equipment was successfully installed in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, with Mozambique’s installation planned for 2025. Training sessions were conducted to equip technicians with the necessary skills to operate Cello data loggers, crucial for monitoring water dynamics. A new station on the Mwenezi River in Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park with staff from the park and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) further strengthens data collection in protected areas. 

LIMCOM’s Environment and Water Resources Management Specialist, Mr. Zvikomborero Manyangadze, highlighted that the new hydrometric equipment had significantly improved forecasting accuracy. Real-time data now enables authorities to monitor both flood surges and low-flow thresholds, ensuring water security during dry seasons. 

The success of these initiatives underscores the importance of transboundary partnerships in water resource management. In December 2024, LIMCOM and the GLTFCA formalized their cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement strengthens the coordination between transboundary conservation and water management efforts, supporting the implementation of the GLTFCA Freshwater Resource Management Strategy (FRMS). 

The FRMS focuses on governance, ecosystem-based freshwater management, ecosystem service beneficiation, and partnerships. GLTFCA International Coordinator, Mr. Gwinyai Muti, emphasized that the MoU will enhance sustainable freshwater use, benefiting both ecosystems and local communities. 

Most of the interventions by LIMCOM are being supported by the project “Integrated Transboundary River Basin Management for the Sustainable Development of the Limpopo River Basin,” which aims to uplift the living standards of the basin’s population and conserve the basin’s resources and ecosystem services

The project is being implemented by LIMCOM in partnership with the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA), and with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

For more information, please contact: Mr. Gwinyai Muti on gmuti[at]peaceparks[dot]org and/or Mr. Sergio Sitoe on sbsitoe[at]limpopocommission[dot]org