“Let us use this project to forge a legacy of resilience, one that ensures that our water resources thrive for use by generations to come.”
These were the words of Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Prince Lonkhokhela, as he officially launched the Global Environment Facility 8 (GEF-8) project focused on strengthening integrated, transboundary management of the Incomati and Maputo River Basins.
The launch, held at the Royal Villas Hotel on Wednesday, marked the beginning of a regional initiative expected to strengthen climate resilience, water governance, and ecosystem protection across Eswatini, South Africa, and Mozambique.
Addressing delegates, the Minister described the initiative as a critical response to growing climate vulnerability, ecosystem degradation, and increasing pressure on shared water resources within the region.
“Today marks a pivotal milestone in the water sector. We are gathered here not just to launch a new strategic initiative, but to catalyze real, lasting systemic change,” said Prince Lonkhokhela.
The project is being implemented jointly by the United Nations Development Programme, the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa, and the Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Commission under an innovative “source-to-sea” water management approach.
The Minister noted that the launch comes at a significant time as the African Union’s 2026 theme focuses on “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
He explained that the GEF-8 funding cycle was established to address what he termed the “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution through integrated and long-term solutions.
Over the next six years, the project will focus on strengthening regional governance structures, establishing science-based management systems through a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA), and developing Strategic Action Plans and National Action Plans to guide future investments.
Other areas of focus include implementing sustainable livelihood pilot projects and advancing regional knowledge sharing, communication, and technical exchanges on river health and transboundary water management.
Prince Lonkhokhela further highlighted the importance of linking water resource management with ecosystem conservation and biodiversity protection. He said the project will engage with the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) to strengthen institutional collaboration and climate resilience interventions across the river basins.
Calling for stronger partnerships, the Minister stressed that governments alone cannot achieve the project’s objectives.
“The Incomati and Maputo River Basins’ innovative source-to-sea management approach cannot be achieved through government funding alone. The GEF-8 strategy relies heavily on multi-stakeholder partnerships,” he said.
He urged implementing partners and government agencies to ensure transparency, efficiency, and unity throughout the implementation process.
The project is expected to improve transboundary water management, strengthen cooperation among the three countries, and contribute to sustainable development while protecting critical ecosystems within the Incomati and Maputo River Basins.