Maputo – Efforts to strengthen cooperation in managing the Incomati and Maputo river basins gained new momentum on Thursday, 6 November, when the Southern Regional Water Administration, Instituto Público (ARA-Sul, IP) and the Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Commission (INMACOM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Maputo, Mozambique.
The agreement was signed by ARA-Sul Director General Edgar Chongo and INMACOM Executive Secretary Sindy Mthimkhulu during the 8th International Conference on Cross-Border Water Resources Management. The event was attended by members of both institutions’ boards and technical teams.
The partnership aims to promote sustainable management of the Incomati and Maputo basins, which are shared by Mozambique, Eswatini, and South Africa. It sets out a framework for joint research, data sharing, resource mobilisation, and technical cooperation to ensure the long-term preservation of the two key river systems.
Chongo said the agreement represents a shared commitment to integrated and participatory management of water resources for the benefit of communities and the environment. He noted that collaboration among riparian states remains crucial in addressing the growing challenges facing transboundary water basins.
Mthimkhulu described the MoU as an opportunity to build on the technical strengths of both organisations and to advance capacity-building initiatives. She said the collaboration would support data exchange and shared monitoring of the river systems, particularly in areas where communities depend heavily on the Incomati and Maputo waters for agriculture and livelihoods.
The memorandum outlines several areas of focus, including joint projects, skills development through training and information exchange, and mobilisation of funding from international partners. It also covers initiatives on water quality monitoring, climate adaptation, and sustainable water use practices.
ARA-Sul, a public institution under Mozambique’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing, manages four basin units: Umbeluzi, Incomati, Limpopo, and Save. The Incomati and Maputo basins are among the most critical shared water systems in Southern Africa, supporting communities across Eswatini, South Africa, and Mozambique.
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