Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania Sign Landmark Agreement to Establish the Ruvuma/Rovuma River Basin Commission

The agreement marks a significant step towards strengthening coordinated governance of the shared Ruvuma/Rovuma River Basin, which spans the three riparian states and supports millions of people through water supply, agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity conservation and other socio-economic activities. Stretching approximately 800 kilometres, the basin is also home to globally significant ecosystems and protected landscapes that require coordinated management across national borders.

As he welcomed the counterpart government representatives for the basin, Honourable Mr. Plácido Nerino Pereira, Secretary of State and representative of Honourable Mr. Fernando Rafael, Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, Republic of Mozambique opened by noting that "The establishment of this Commission represents the political will of our States to turn water into an instrument of regional integration, peace, sustainable development, and shared prosperity for the communities living along the Rovuma Basin."

Today's signing builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the three countries in July 2024, which committed Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania to deepen cooperation in the sustainable management of the shared basin. Since then, the three Member States, with technical support from IUCN, the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA), Wetlands International Eastern Africa (WIEA), and the German Government through GIZ, have undertaken a series of regional dialogues that culminated in the finalization of the Establishment and Hosting Agreements earlier this year.

Giving remarks at the occasion, Honourable Minister of Water from the United Republic of Tanzania, Jumaa Aweso (MP) said,  "The strategy establishes a platform to bring stakeholders in the Basin." The minister also added that "We welcome our development partners to continue working with Ruvuma Watercourse Commission. We invite you to team-up with Member States in mobilizing resources for tangible outputs and cross-border projects and water related infrastructures in the Basin." 

The newly signed establishment agreement provides the legal and institutional foundation for the Ruvuma/Rovuma River Basin Commission, creating a permanent platform for joint planning, coordinated decision-making, information sharing and sustainable management of the basin's shared water and ecosystem resources. The agreement is expected to strengthen regional cooperation, improve resilience to climate change, promote integrated water resources management, and enhance the long-term health of the basin for the benefit of present and future generations.

Representing Hon. Minister Rosa Fatchi Mbilizi (MP), Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Republic of Malawi, Prof. Dr. Faides Mwale noted, "As we embark on this new phase, let us maintain the spirit of cooperation, mutual trust, and shared responsibility that has brought us to this historic moment. Together, we can build a strong and effective Commission that serves present and future generations."

The ceremony also reaffirmed the commitment of the three countries to advancing basin-wide cooperation through the adoption of the Ruvuma/Rovuma Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Strategy, developed with support from the German Government through GIZ. The strategy provides a shared framework for the coordinated management, development and protection of the basin's water, land and related natural resources.

The IUCN Country Representative for Mozambique remarked that;

As a SADC implementing partner, IUCN is happy to deliver on this mandate. Beyond this agreement, IUCN remains committed to supporting the Ruvuma Basin in water cooperation, and related challenges of climate change, biodiversity conservation and coastal resilience.

The signing coincides with the implementation of the GEF-funded Strengthening Integrated Transboundary Source-to-Sea Management of the Ruvuma River Basin and its Coastal Zones to Ensure Ecosystem Health and Livelihood Security Project. With a total investment of US$72.56 million, including US$7.12 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the five-year regional initiative supports Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania in strengthening transboundary governance, improving science-based decision-making, mobilizing strategic investments, promoting community-based natural resource management, and enhancing knowledge sharing across the basin.

The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is led by IUCN as the GEF Implementing Agency, in partnership with the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) and Wetlands International Eastern Africa (WIEA) as Executing Agencies, working closely with national institutions and regional partners to secure a healthy, resilient and sustainably managed Ruvuma/Rovuma River Basin.