PIDACC-Zambezi urged to speed up implementation

Ellanie Smit
  • 11 Hours Ago

The Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Zambezi River Basin (PIDACC-Zambezi) has been urged to accelerate implementation and ensure its investments deliver tangible benefits for communities affected by climate change.

The call followed a mid-term review that recognised progress in climate-smart agriculture, water infrastructure, community livelihoods and regional cooperation, but also identified delays, procurement constraints and capacity gaps threatening delivery.

Speaking at a regional review workshop in Lusaka, Zambia, Dr Laouali Garba, division manager in the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting the programme and working with project teams and partners to resolve implementation challenges.

Raubil Durowoju, the AfDB’s country manager for Zambia, also stressed the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared challenges, including water management, land degradation and climate risks. His remarks were delivered by Dr Toussaint Houeninvo, the bank’s chief country economist in Lusaka.

“Challenges in the Zambezi River Basin cannot be addressed effectively by countries acting in isolation,” Durowoju said.

He highlighted the role of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) in ensuring that technical knowledge, information systems and lessons learnt are shared across national borders.

Durowoju also called for a time-bound action plan with clear responsibilities and measurable targets to address implementation bottlenecks during the programme’s second half.


Approvals

In Zambia, the programme had approved 182 demand-driven micro-projects in the Southern and North-Western provinces by the time of the review. The projects cover solar-powered water systems, livestock, aquaculture, agricultural mechanisation, honey production, horticulture and tree planting.

The programme has also distributed climate-smart mechanisation equipment to targeted wards and farmer training centres. Other activities include vulnerability assessments, farmer training and demonstrations of climate-smart technologies.

Zambia’s permanent secretary for technical services, John Mulongoti, said climate-related shocks threatened agricultural production, household incomes and food security.

He highlighted support that included 1 950 improved beehives, 1 500 small livestock and 1 200 village poultry, as well as three-tier livestock service centres, 300 hectares of improved pasture and 100 backyard aquaculture facilities. Farmer cooperatives have also received tractors and related implements.

In Mozambique, outreach activities had reached about 17 000 farmers by June 2026, while 1 400 of the programme’s target of 2 000 families had received nutrition-sensitive training. Training for the remaining families is expected to be completed by December.

The programme has also drilled boreholes in rural communities and is preparing to construct at least two small dams to improve access to water. Pilot projects in Angónia and support for farm equipment were identified as areas requiring further development.


Advancing work

At regional level, ZAMCOM has strengthened implementation and financial management systems while advancing work on land governance, climate-smart agriculture, monitoring and evaluation, early-warning systems and the Zambezi Water Information System.

However, the review called for stronger monitoring, more realistic budgets and schedules, better coordination between regional and national teams, and the completion and adoption of technical outputs.

Environmental and social safeguards, gender and youth inclusion, and the long-term sustainability of investments were also identified as priorities.

ZAMCOM executive secretary Felix Ngamlagosi reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to working with the AfDB and the governments of Zambia and Mozambique until the programme’s completion.

Supported by the AfDB, PIDACC-Zambezi has regional and national components involving ZAMCOM and the governments of Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its objectives are to strengthen climate resilience, improve natural resource management and support sustainable livelihoods across the Zambezi River Basin.

The review’s central message was that progress must now translate into completed investments and measurable improvements in the lives of communities across the basin.