Mbombela, South Africa – Stakeholders from Eswatini, Mozambique, and South Africa convened in Mbombela this week to launch the five-year initiative for the Incomati and Maputo river basins, valued at over USD 71 million. The project, formally endorsed in July, is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with USD 7.1 million, while member states and partners contribute the remaining USD 64 million. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) oversees the project, and implementation is led by the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWP-SA).
The inception meeting, held from 17 to 18 September, focused on aligning stakeholders around project objectives, expected outcomes, and roles. The initiative seeks to restore over 12,800 hectares of degraded land, promote sustainable management of 35,900 hectares, strengthen the Incomati and Maputo Watercourse Commission (INMACOM), boost regional cooperation across water, conservation, and coastal authorities, and engage communities—especially women—in governance, ecosystem restoration, and green jobs.
Eswatini’s Chief Water Engineer, Emelda Mapule Magagula, said the country is ready for implementation and committed to addressing the challenges facing the two basins. South Africa’s Petunia Ramunenyiwa described the gathering as a critical step toward moving from planning to action, while Mozambique’s Lizete Dias said her country remains dedicated to the project’s success. 
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Nessie Golakai-Gould called for swift implementation, mobilising expertise, engaging stakeholders, and strengthening INMACOM into a technically sound institution for basin governance. Dr Loreen Katiyo, Transboundary Water Governance Specialist at GWP-SA, said stakeholders will define clear priorities, responsibilities, and activities to ensure progress across all participating countries.
