WEFE Nexus Spotlighted as Catalyst for SADC Economic and Climate Resilience
The 11th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Multi-Stakeholder Water Dialogue concluded in Maseru, Lesotho, emphasising the critical role of water in driving sustainable economic growth and regional integration.
Held from 29 to 30 September under the theme “Water Security, Innovation, and Nexus Action: Watering and Enabling Regional Economic Development Corridors for Transformation in SADC”, the Dialogue focused on the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus as a framework for strengthening SADC’s smart regional economic corridors.
Participants explored strategies to enhance water security, promote value chain development, and design climate-resilient infrastructure to support trade and investment.
Honourable Mohlomi Moleko, Minister of Natural Resources of Lesotho, highlighted water’s central role in economic development. “Without water, the region cannot achieve inclusive growth, food and energy security, or sustainable industrial transformation,” he said. He urged that water be placed at the heart of planning and investment as both a trade enabler and a lifeline for resilient communities.
Dr Patrice Kabeya, Senior Programmes Officer for Water at the SADC Secretariat, shared data revealing persistent gaps in regional access to water and sanitation. Only 63% of the population has access to water and 37% to sanitation, below the 2030 target of 80%.
He noted that electricity access has improved from 48% in 2019 to 56% in 2024, yet remains below the 85% target, with renewable energy comprising just 35% of the regional energy mix.
Dr Kabeya emphasised the need to accelerate regional economic corridor development and to mainstream cross-cutting sectors such as transport, ICT, climate, and disaster risk reduction to enhance resilience.
International partners, including Germany and the European Union, reaffirmed their support for regional water initiatives. Ms Simone Goertz, Head of Economic and Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Botswana, highlighted over two decades of German support through the SADC-German Transboundary Water Management Project implemented by GIZ, noting its contribution to institutional strengthening, climate resilience, and integrated WEFE Nexus management.
Other speakers, including Ms Anna Renieri (European Union), Mr Andrew Takawira (Global Water Partnership Southern Africa), and Ms Relebohile Lebeta (Lesotho Ministry of Natural Resources), underscored the need for stronger collaboration with River Basin Organisations, enhanced institutional linkages, and mobilising financing to advance water sector development.
The Dialogue brought together policymakers, water practitioners, private sector representatives, and youth and gender groups to deliberate on inclusive strategies for sustainable development, highlighting the role of water as a driver of economic transformation, regional integration, and climate-resilient growth.
