Unlocking the potential of the Limpopo River Basin
The Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM) is implementing this ambitious project in partnership with the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Addressing sedimentation
As part of the project, LIMCOM is upscaling several initiatives to address the critical issue of sedimentation, which poses serious threats to the river's ecology, water quality, and downstream communities.
In March 2025, a basin-wide capacity-building training session on the LIMCOM Sediment Monitoring Framework was held on the Olifants River in South Africa to equip LIMCOM Member States – Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe -- with the necessary skills and knowledge to monitor sedimentation.
Participants said the training was timely as it had created a platform for Member States to share experiences and best practices in sediment monitoring. “After this training, we are going to train our own officials back home,” Joseph Phasha from the Republic of South Africa said, highlighting the critical role that the project is championing in facilitating knowledge transfer and exchange among beneficiaries.
Harnessing groundwater – the hidden resource
The project is also strengthening the capacity of Member States to promote sustainable groundwater monitoring and management to promote water security and protect aquifers. In April 2025, a workshop was convened to facilitate a discussion aimed at ensuring that Member States understand more about surface and groundwater interactions and conjunctive use of surface and groundwater in the basin.
The interaction between groundwater and surface water in the LRB is a complex and dynamic process influenced by various factors including geology, climate and human activities. Therefore, understanding these interactions is crucial for sustainable transboundary water resource management.
To appreciate groundwater monitoring and allow participants to gain practical skills in data collection, analysis and interpretation, a field study was carried out in the Mapungubwe National Park, which lies within the Tuli-Karoo Transboundary Aquifer (TBA) area that is shared by three of the four LIMCOM Member States namely Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Limpopo Joint Basin Survey concluded
Another major milestone registered by the project to date is the conclusion of the final phase of the 1st Limpopo Joint Basin Survey in May 2025. This marked a significant step towards understanding the dynamics of the LRB and its potential for sustainable development.
The final phase of the survey focused in detail on the Limpopo estuary as well as the unexplored hypersaline Changane sub-catchment in Mozambique, leveraging the rainy season for accurate data collection. Conducted in phases since August 2024, the survey has provided invaluable insights on the hydrology, water quality, and ecosystem health of the LRB.
A report on the 1st Limpopo JBS is expected to be finalized soon, laying the foundation for the development of a comprehensive and updated Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) plan for the LRB, as well as paving the way for the establishment of a multi-disciplinary transboundary river health monitoring team in the basin.
Towards a brighter future for the Limpopo basin
The project's success is a testament to the power of transboundary cooperation and the commitment of LIMCOM Member States to sustainable water resources management. By working together, LIMCOM and its implementing partners can ensure that the resource of the basin continues to support growth and development for present and future generations.
Speaking at the recent 6th Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting held in April 2025 in Gaborone, Botswana, the new LIMCOM Chair, Commissioner Bogadi Mathangwane from the Republic of Botswana expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the project, noting that it was critical to maintain this collaborative approach to ensure success of the project.
“If we all pull together with one shared vision, we will achieve a lot and improve livelihoods in the basin,” Commissioner Bogadi Mathangwane said.
For more information, please contact the LIMCOM Secretariat at (communications@limpopocommission.org) coping Mr. Sergio Sitoe at sbsitoe@limpopocommission.org
Words by Kizito Sikuka, who can be contacted at ksikuka@limpopocommission.org. Photos LIMCOM
About the project
The project “Integrated Transboundary River Basin Management for the Sustainable Development of the Limpopo River Basin,” aims to uplift the living standards of the basin’s population and conserve the basin’s resources and ecosystem services.
