28 Feb 2021

Botswana and Namibia are considering partnering in a project to help solve water challenges experienced in both countries.

If successful, the partnership will see them draw water from the Atlantic Ocean for desalination.

An investor has already approached Namibia to sell the idea of desalinating water from the ocean for safe use.

Shortage of safe potable water has been a major challenge for both countries with Botswana failing to meet the around 320 million liters per day national demand. 

Last Thursday, after honoring an invitation by his Namibia counterpart Dr Hage Geingob to discuss the proposal, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said interested investors had explained that new technologies for desalinating ocean water for safe use and drinking were available.

In an interview, President Masisi said Botswana welcomed the idea given that shortage of water remained a major challenge in the country.

President Masisi said the partnership proposal followed a discussion he had with his counterpart early February about Botswana’s water challenges.

The two have agreed to  look at the proposal with the assistance of their nations’ experts. 

“If the water project is expensive, we will not go ahead with, but if it’s something possible, we will follow all the necessary procedures and go ahead with,” he said.

President Masisi said should the project be given the green light, all government processes would be followed.

Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila, who  accompanied the President, said if it materialised, the project would help quench hundreds of Batswana who had been experiencing water shortages.

He said the southern part of Botswana had been experiencing water scarcity as the country could not supply the 140 million liters needed daily.

 Mr Mzwinila stated that some areas went without safe drinking water. “We will be happy if this partnership can materialise because of the abundant of water from the Atlantic Ocean that never runs dry. It is something we have been thinking to explore,” he said.

Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Lemogang Kwape who was also part of the delegation, expressed happiness  that the water project discussions started at the highest level.

He said following the establishment of the Bi-National Commission between the two countries, it was important for the heads of state to start engaging each other  on issues of mutual interest.

The meeting between the two was an example of a growing friendship between nations that worked together towards a common goal, said Dr Kwape. Ends