PROJECT # 0032

Malawi, Tanzania - Songwe River Basin Development Project

Lying in the southwest of Tanzania and north of Malawi, the Songwe River Basin covers an area of 4,243 km² and a population of over 341,000 people, with the Songwe River forming a 200 km natural border between the two countries. The project aims at contributing to improved living conditions of basin population and socio-economic development in both countries through the development of an effective transboundary water resources management (TWRM) and investments.

Priority investments identified in the Feasibility studies include: a Lower Songwe Dam and Hydropower Plant (USD 550 million), Irrigation Schemes (USD 99 million), Water supply projects (USD 22 million), Institutional and Environmental Measures (USD 13 million) and Priority Social Infrastructure (roads, schools & health centres for USD 3 million). Other investments relate to rural electrification, social infrastructure, economic development and the design of a middle dam for a total of USD 142 million.

The Governments of Malawi and Tanzania are mobilising financial resources to implement SRBDP. The sources of financing are the Public sector/donors, the Private sector (through PPPs) and climate financiers.