The rehabilitation of the Kariba dam is part of the European Union’s “Global Gateway” initiative designed to tackle the most pressing global challenges in a sustainable way
By George Swarei
The European Union recently celebrated the Rehabilitation of the Kariba dam as a flagship project of its Global Gateway initiative. During a tour of The Kariba Dam to evaluate the progress of the rehabilitation European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe Jobst von Kirchmann said, “The rehabilitation of this dam can potentially contribute to over 50% of the overall electricity production in Zimbabwe” underlined Ambassador Kirchmann.
“The partnership between the EU, the Zambezi River Authority, the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the Swedish International Development and Co-operation as well as Zambia and Zimbabwe is an investment not in concrete and steel, but in the future of Zimbabwe and Zambia,” he added.
The European Union is the biggest donor for the rehabilitation project with 113.5 million Euros. The Kariba Dam has been pivotal for both Zimbabwe and Zambia for decades. It has harnessed the power of the Zambezi, providing electricity, irrigation, and sustenance to countless communities.
For Zimbabwe alone, this dam can potentially deliver over 1000 MW, which corresponds to 2/3 of the country’s electricity production. Its rehabilitation is of paramount importance, because a potential collapse of the dam could kill over 500 000 people because of its domino effect on other dams and it would affect almost 3 million people with an estimated economic impact of more than USD 20 billion.
But this project also has cultural roots. In fact, the Tonga people of this area have relied on the Zambezi River well before the construction of the Dam and the Nyami Nyami legend that followed. In recognizing the importance of this dam, we also honour the rich cultural tapestry of this region.
The Zambezi River is not just a watercourse; it is a thread that weaves together the stories, traditions, and aspirations of diverse communities.
The rehabilitation of the Kariba dam is part of the European Union’s “Global Gateway” initiative designed to tackle the most pressing global challenges in a sustainable way.
Team Europe, meaning the EU institutions and EU Member States jointly, will mobilise up to €300 billion of investments for sustainable and high-quality projects (€150 billion for Africa) until 2027, taking into account the needs of partner countries and ensuring lasting benefits for local communities.
The EU’s commitment to this project is rooted in a shared understanding that sustainable development knows no borders.
The ambassador of the European Union, H.E. Jobst von Kirchmann, was accompanied by Hon Edgar Moyo, Minister of Energy and Power Development (Zimbabwe), the honourable Peter Chibwe Kapala, Minister of Energy ( Zambia), the Ambassador of the European Union to Zambia, Karolina Stasiak, ambassadors of EU Member States to Zambia and Zimbabwe as well as delegates from AfDB, Worldbank and the Zambezi River Authority.
The visit to the Kariba Dam was to evaluate the progress of the rehabilitation of the dam which has suffered from a deterioration of its plunge pool and its spillway over the last couple of years.
