Dar es Salaam/Lilongwe. Tanzania and Malawi have reaffirmed their commitment to accelerate the implementation of the Songwe River Basin Development Programme, a cross-border initiative expected to generate 180.2 megawatts of electricity while boosting irrigation, water supply, fisheries and tourism.
The commitment was made during a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Joint Songwe River Basin Commission (SONGWECOM) held in Lilongwe, Malawi, on July 10, 2026.
The meeting was chaired by the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government (Tamisemi), Prof Riziki Shemdoe.
The two governments reviewed progress on the programme and discussed measures to speed up implementation.
They also pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation to ensure the project is completed efficiently and on schedule.
Once operational, the project is expected to increase electricity generation while supporting agricultural production through irrigation.
It will also improve water supply, promote fisheries and tourism, and stimulate economic and social development in communities along the Songwe River Basin.
The ministers said closer cooperation would help deliver the project’s benefits to citizens in both countries and strengthen the sustainable management of shared water resources.
Among the Tanzanian delegation were Deputy Minister for Water, Engineer Kundo Andrea Mathew, Deputy Minister for Agriculture David Silinde, Tanzania’s Ambassador to Malawi Agnes Kayola, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Kasper Kasper Mmuya and technical experts from both governments.
The SONGWECOM Council of Ministers is the commission’s highest decision-making body.
It comprises 10 ministers from Tanzania and Malawi representing five key sectors: water, energy, irrigated agriculture, regional administration and local government, and lands.
The Joint Songwe River Basin Commission was established by Tanzania and Malawi to oversee the sustainable management and development of the shared Songwe River Basin.
The programme is designed to address common development challenges while strengthening regional integration and cooperation.
The latest meeting underlined the two countries’ shared resolve to expand access to electricity, improve water and food security, and promote sustainable economic growth through joint investment in strategic cross-border infrastructure.
