SADC Multi-Stakeholder Water Dialogue Advances WEFE Nexus and Regional Economic Corridors

The 11th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Multi-Stakeholder Water Dialogue took place in Maseru, Lesotho, from 29 to 30 September 2025. The event focused on reviewing water-related initiatives under the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus to strengthen the implementation of SADC’s new smart regional economic corridors, ensuring integrated and sustainable development across the region.

The dialogue highlighted value proposition development, water security, regional value chain promotion, investment planning, and roadmap creation for corridor development. Participants emphasised the importance of innovative, climate-resilient infrastructure to support trade and value chains. Cross-sectoral partnerships across water, energy, agriculture, transport, and ICT were promoted to advance policy and investment recommendations, with a focus on transboundary cooperation and regional development.

Held under the theme “Water Security, Innovation, and Nexus Action: Watering and Enabling Regional Economic Development Corridors for Transformation in SADC,” the Dialogue underscored the need to integrate the WEFE Nexus fully into regional planning, moving beyond siloed approaches.

Honourable Mohlomi Moleko, Minister of Natural Resources of Lesotho, noted that water is central to economic growth through agriculture and industry, public health through safe drinking water and sanitation, and cooperation on shared resources. He stressed that without water, the region cannot achieve inclusive growth, food and energy security, or sustainable industrial transformation. He called for water to be placed at the centre of planning and investment as both a trade enabler and a resilience-building resource.

Dr. Patrice Kabeya, Senior Programmes Officer for Water at the SADC Secretariat, reported on the regional water and energy sectors. Only 63% of the population has access to water and 37% to sanitation, far below the 2030 target of 80%. Dam storage capacity is only 18% of annual renewable water resources. Electricity access increased from 48% in 2019 to 56% in 2024, while renewable energy accounts for 35% of the regional energy mix, below the target. Dr. Kabeya emphasised the need to expand regional economic corridors and mainstream sectors such as transport, ICT, climate, and Disaster Risk Reduction to strengthen corridor development and regional resilience.

Ms. Simone Goertz, Head of Economic and Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Botswana, highlighted Germany’s 20-year partnership with SADC through the GIZ, supporting transboundary water management, institutional strengthening, infrastructure development, capacity building, and climate resilience. She noted that this cooperation has advanced the WEFE Nexus, enabling better integration of water, energy, and food resource management.

Other speakers included Ms. Anna Renieri from the European Union Delegation to Lesotho, Mr. Andrew Takawira of the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa, and Ms. Relebohile Lebeta, Principal Secretary for Lesotho’s Ministry of Natural Resources. They stressed the role of water in ecosystem protection, corridor development, and regional economic transformation. They also highlighted the need to strengthen River Basin Organisations, institutional linkages, and financing for water sector growth and management.

The Dialogue covered policy alignment, the role of water in regional corridor development, climate-resilient water infrastructure, and financing Nexus-based investments for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Convened in partnership with the Government of Lesotho and supported by Germany through the SADC-German Transboundary Water Management Project, the biennial platform brought together water practitioners, policymakers, and representatives from multiple sectors, including agriculture, environment, energy, tourism, finance, and civil society. Participants discussed strategies to enhance regional integration, sustainability, and inclusive growth, ensuring the WEFE Nexus contributes to smart and integrated regional economic corridor development.