The conference under the theme Unlocking Water Resources Potential for Economic growth attracted an array of investors from within and beyond the country and was officially opened by President Emmerson Mnangagwa who told investors that his Government had adopted a holistic approach that highlights investment opportunities in irrigation, portable water supply for the expanding urban and rural settlements, power generation and eco-tourism.
Zimbabwe’s holistic approach adopted on the Water Resources Infrastructure Investment Conference identifies four components of dam construction, water supply infrastructure and conveyance, irrigation infrastructure as well as conveyance and mini hydropower generation. This will enhance the country’s ability to deal with potable water challenges in our towns and cities, food scarcity countrywide and also power challenges currently being experienced in the country. It will also help add value to water projects hence making them bankable and attractive to financiers. The conference marked a turning point in Zimbabwe’s bid to develop robust, elaborate and resilient water infrastructure.
Global Water Partnership Southern Africa was invited to participate in the Water Resources Investment Conference which was jointly organised by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA). The objective of the Conference was to showcase potential water infrastructure projects to investors, with the view to raising financing for these projects.
GWP indicated its interest in supporting the Nyatana Dam Project, given the fact that it was meant to support water supply and sanitation needs, irrigation and power generation, which would fulfil the objectives of the Water – Energy – Food – Nexus Framework. GWP showed its willingness to engage the Government of Zimbabwe and ZINWA with the view to support certain aspects of project development, preparation and resource mobilisation for the project.
GWP expressed its desire to work with the authorities to prepare an Africa Water Infrastructure Investment Programme component for Zimbabwe, and that the Batoka Godge had been earmarked for the same. GWP however indicated the need for Zimbabwe to prioritise the projects to enable funders to focus on the priority flagship projects in the short term.