ZamVisão Mozambique

Context

Zamvisão promotes a comprehensive approach to addressing the multifaceted and interconnected water challenges in the province of Zambézia. This approach aims to find effective strategies, solutions, and combinations for water management and spatial development. The dynamics of key physical processes, such as rivers, rainfall, the sea, saltwater intrusion, and land erosion, form the foundation of this vision. A major challenge is flood resilience. During extreme floods, the waters of various rivers converge and flow into the same low-lying areas. This situation was observed multiple times during the floods between 2015 and 2023, resulting in flooded areas stretching over hundreds of kilometers. In higher, hilly areas, including those around the city of Mocuba, floods can develop rapidly. This causes erosion and creates dangerous flow conditions. In addition to flood-related issues, water shortages occur during drier periods of the year due to insufficient water storage and supply capacity.

Vision

The Zambezi Valley boasts abundant natural resources. In addition to various mining opportunities, the plentiful water resources offer immense potential for the development of hydropower, agricultural expansion, and rich natural areas (including a Ramsar site). The region is strategically located at the downstream end of rivers, features an extensive coastline, and provides infrastructure for transport by land, air, and water. The major cities, Quelimane and Mocuba, are well-positioned to serve as economic hubs, with both cities offering suitable areas for expansion.

The guiding principles of the workshop were:

• Understanding the water dynamics and landscape characteristics from regional to urban levels.
• Considering the needs, capacities, and resources of key stakeholders.
• Aligning water management with spatial planning.
• Accounting for both the present and the future.

These aspects were discussed, mapped, and formed the foundation for identifying opportunities to improve conditions for livelihoods, the economy, and nature.

Elaboration

The regional vision analyzed landscape features and dominant water flows under both normal conditions and during floods to identify different types of interventions at regional, urban, and community levels. Strategies and specific interventions were explored for four landscape zones that share similar characteristics and challenges: the Highlands, Along the Zambezi, the Lowlands and Coast, and the Cities of Mocuba & Quelimane. These strategies are interconnected through their impact on water dynamics across these landscapes. They work in harmony to enhance flood resilience and optimize water use throughout the region.

Within urban centers such as Mocuba and Quelimane, the proposal includes the development of flood-resilient infrastructure and urban planning to ensure year-round water supply. This is achieved by leveraging the water processes in surrounding landscapes, protecting natural resources, utilizing the region's natural water flow paths, promoting community awareness and self-sufficiency, and directing future developments to suitable locations that align with the water management strategy.

Next Steps

Technical and Coordination Support

A central element of ZamVisão is the integrated systems approach that connects hydrological processes from the regional to the community level, taking into account landscape conditions and processes, socio-economic factors, industry, transportation, and nature. Ensuring that project implementations in the region are carried out in a well-balanced, integrated manner requires continuous attention to the diverse drivers and functions within the system. For this reason, it was recommended that a program coordination team be established to maintain the connection between the responsible authorities and provide them with technical advice.

Institutional integration

The Directie voor Waterbeheer (DNGRH) of the Ministerie van Openbare Werken (MOPRH) holds the legal and formal mandate to implement Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) through its regional water authorities, the ARA's. These organizations are central to advancing the results of ZamVisão. Key national-level partner organizations include the Ministerie van Milieu (MICOA), the Nationaal Instituut voor Irrigatie (INIR), the Nationale Wegenagentschap (ANE) and the Nationaal Instituut voor Rampenbeheer (INGD). At the regional level, provincial departments and municipal councils must be closely involved, as they become the lead organizations when projects transition to local urban or rural objectives.

Facilitating the Systems Approach

A crucial next step is to place the results of ZamVisão on the agendas of relevant ministries, funding institutions, and private sector stakeholders. The ambition is to recognize its importance, coordinate and integrate current plans and policy measures, and seek support and financing for the joint development of an integrated plan.