Zambia, Zimbabwe Revive Batoka Gorge Project with Congo River Water Plan
Zambia and Zimbabwe are intensifying efforts to attract investment for the long-delayed $5 billion Batoka Gorge hydropower project by revisiting a controversial plan to divert water from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), a joint agency managing the Kariba Dam on behalf of both countries, has formed a dedicated team to engage potential investors for the 2,400-megawatt power project, according to CEO Munyaradzi Munodawafa.
“Our resource mobilization effort is targeting a timeframe of 12 to 18 months, depending on investor confidence, market conditions, and continued bilateral support from the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe,” Munodawafa said.
Initially scheduled to begin construction in 2020, the Batoka Gorge project was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and difficulties in securing funding.
In a major development last year, Zambia cancelled a 2019 contract awarded to General Electric and China’s Power Construction Corporation, citing procurement irregularities.
The two governments now aim to appoint new bidders by September 2025. However, their ability to raise capital is hampered by significant financial challenges: Zimbabwe is burdened with $21 billion in debt, while Zambia remains in default and continues to negotiate a debt restructuring deal, five years after its first loan default.
To improve Kariba Dam’s long-term reliability amid worsening climate conditions, Zambia and Zimbabwe are also considering an ambitious plan to divert up to 16 billion cubic meters (4.3 trillion gallons) of water annually from the Congo River.
The diversion could help stabilize inflows into Lake Kariba — the world’s largest man-made reservoir — which has seen declining water levels due to repeated El Niño-induced droughts.
However, the proposal faces major technical and environmental challenges. Pumping the water uphill across difficult terrain would require massive energy input and infrastructure investment.
Environmental concerns and geopolitical sensitivities around Congo River usage could also complicate implementation.
Currently, Lake Kariba supplies nearly half the electricity consumed by both Zambia and Zimbabwe. But reduced rainfall and repeated breaches of agreed water usage limits by both nations have placed the dam under increasing pressure.
