By Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU
The four nations sharing the Orange-Senqu River Basin – Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa (SA) have reaffirmed their joint commitment to sustainable water resource management.
This commitment was underscored at a high-level investment conference held last week in Maseru, convened by the Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) in partnership with Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB).
The event brought together ministers of water and environment, private sector players, multilateral and commercial financiers, and development partners. It marked a major step forward in promoting transboundary cooperation and unlocking investment in the Basin.
Comfort Molosiwa, ORASECOM’s Executive Secretary, emphasized the urgency of unified action in the face of intensifying climate-related pressures.
He presented ORASECOM’s Climate Resilient Investment Strategy and Basin-Wide Investment Plan, which identifies 37 critical projects ranging from dams and irrigation systems to wastewater treatment costing an estimated USD7.9 billion (more than M130 billion). Backed by the African Development Bank, the plan outlines a strategic vision to 2050.
“We’ve also developed a roadmap of 10 strategic actions requiring around USD23 million (about 320 million) to jump-start infrastructure development across the Basin,” said Molosiwa. “We are eager to gauge your interest in financing these transformative projects. By the end of this conference, we hope to welcome new collaborators to our shared mission.”
He noted the escalating effects of environmental disruption and surging water demand, urging stakeholders including governments, scientists, investors, and civil society to rally around sustainable governance.
He quoted South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, saying: “Rivers don’t recognise political boundaries… We must act decisively for the benefit of both our environment and our people.”
Lesotho’s Minister of Natural Resources, Hon Mohlomi Moleko, underlined the Basin’s pivotal role in regional economic growth, from food and energy security to mining and manufacturing. “In Lesotho, for instance, all national economic activity takes place within the Basin,” he said.
He warned, however, that this vital resource faces growing threats from prolonged droughts, erratic weather, rising demand, and ecosystem degradation.
“The Climate Resilient Investment Plan, which we are here to showcase, responds directly to these threats,” Moleko explained. “It offers a unified framework for strategic interventions that are not only scalable and bankable, but also aimed at bolstering long-term resilience for our people and economies.”
He stressed that the Plan was shaped through extensive consultation among the four Basin States and builds on ORASECOM’s 2014 Integrated Water Resources Management Plan.
The strategy identifies key infrastructure and policy priorities from advanced multipurpose infrastructure to nature-based solutions offering both national and cross-border investment prospects.
“This conference is a turning point,” Moleko added. “Our countries are ready to engage with development partners and investors to discuss financing models that bring these projects to life.”
Botswana’s High Commissioner to SA and Lesotho, Dr Sanji Monageng, praised the sustained co-operation among member states. She described water co-operation as “essential to cultivating solid partnerships.”
She spotlighted the proposed Lesotho–Botswana Water Transfer (L-BWT) Project as an initiative that not only enhances water security but strengthens regional resilience to climate stress.
She also acknowledged the urgency of securing new water sources for Botswana’s rapidly growing urban areas, particularly in the south-east.
“Water scarcity in our region is deepened by global environmental changes and tightening government budgets,” Monageng observed.
Monageng expressed hope that the conference would encourage more private-sector involvement in closing the infrastructure financing gap.
She reaffirmed Botswana’s commitment to equitable and sustainable water use, highlighting the critical role of safe water access and sanitation in national development. “Public-private partnerships offer a tested model – we’ve seen this work successfully in Botswana’s energy sector,” she added.
Namibia’s Deputy Executive Director, Ueritjiua Kauaria, echoed these sentiments. “Namibia is proud to be part of ORASECOM and a committed partner in securing our shared water future,” he said.
Despite being one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Namibia has made strides in water innovation.
He cited successful projects like the Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant in Windhoek, a global benchmark in direct potable reuse, and the Neckartal Dam, which enhances food security through irrigation. He also mentioned the Namibia–South Africa Noordoewer–Vioolsdrift Dam and new renewable-powered desalination plants as key investments to build climate resilience.
“We believe in the power of innovative financing models to unlock progress,” Kauaria said. “Together, we can turn water scarcity into opportunity.”
South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Hon. Sello Seitlholo, described his country’s partnership with ORASECOM as central to regional water security and climate resilience.
He highlighted that climate-related extremes ranging from floods to droughts are increasingly threatening shared water systems.
To manage these risks, he said, South Africa has formed the Water and Sanitation Sector Anti-Corruption Forum and is strengthening transparency and oversight.
Seitlholo emphasised inclusive governance, referencing South Africa’s Vaal Anti-Pollution Forum and youth and gender representation within ORASECOM. As incoming G20 President, South Africa also intends to prioritize water investment and climate resilience in Africa.
He noted that public-private partnerships are being pursued through the Water Partnerships Office, jointly established with the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
These partnerships aim to invest in smart metering, wastewater treatment, and water conveyance key to curbing losses and enhancing efficiency.
“Adaptation efforts also include water reuse in sectors like agriculture and mining,” he said. “As urbanisation and industrialisation accelerate, cross-border collaboration and investment will be critical to meeting future demand.”