Tanzania, Malawi court AfDB on Songwe dam
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has restated its commitment to support development projects that foster regional integration.
The bank’s vice-president Kevin Kariuki said this on Monday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates during a bilateral side meeting at the 28th United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change (CoP28) between Malawi and Tanzania on the Joint Songwe River Basin Commission.
Malawi and Tanzania plan to construct the $761 million (about K1.2 billion) dam and hydropower plant on the lower Songwe River.
Kariuki said: “We strive to reduce poverty by mobilising resources to spur sustainable socio-economic development. This project will also promote regional integration.”
Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia said the project is a priority under the Malawi 2063 through the First 10-Year Implementation Plan.
“Apart from the hydro-power plant, this project gives us a multi-purpose dam to give people clean and safe water, for irrigation farming and fisheries. The presence of the African Development Bank (AfDB) here gives us hope of realising this dream of Songwe Commission,” she said.
Tanzania’s Minister of Water Jumaa Aweso said while they explore funding opportunities, both countries have embraced interventions to ensure that it is implemented.
“This is for our people to have food, employment and reduce poverty,” he said.
The power plant is expected to supplement the two countries’ national grids with 180 megawatts.
