The Southern African Development Community Project Preparation Facility (SADC PPDF) approved last August a total of 20.2 million USD for the preparation of 12 regional projects covering the energy, transport and water sectors, which are expected to generate at least 3 billion USD in infrastructure investment. Of these 12 projects, at least three benefit Mozambique.

According to information from the "Charter" the projects have enormous potential to open business opportunities across the entire infrastructure value chain, not only in consulting services, but also in financing, construction, equipment supply, technology and skills, as well as operations and maintenance.

Among the projects approved by the PPDF and financed by the European Union (EU) and Germany's KfW Bank are the MOZISA electricity interconnection project between Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe; Africa Green Co projects (all SADC member states); Lomahasha Namaacha Cross Border Water Supply Project (Eswatini and Mozambique) and the Kazungula Water Supply and Sanitation Project (Zambia).

Of the projects are also the second Alaska-Sherwood power line in Zimbabwe, the Angola-Namibia transmission interconnection; Kasemeno-Mwenda toll road and Luapula hydropower development between DRC and Zambia, Mulembo Leyla Hydro in Zambia; the North-South Rail Corridor involving Botswana, DRC, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe and the project on Developing Guidelines and Standards for Renewable Energy Projects, including a financing and incentive strategy in Mauritius.

According to data consulted by "Carta" on the SADC website explain that the planned expansion of power generation facilities in the Region needs a strong transmission network to be able to supply the additional load. "The transmission projects approved by the PPDF are expected to remove bottlenecks in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) transmission system and increase wheeling capacity and thus improve trade between SADC member states," the source extols.

The SADC Facility details that transmission lines could support growth and facilitate the integration of new generation projects. "Corridors in the power and transportation sectors are being advocated to create corridors to support industrial development and improve energy security in the Region.

The Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) has also held dialogues with various development agencies and banks and secured multilateral funding for various projects and activities, which include capacity building, technical assistance and project preparatory funding to support SADC PPDF efforts," the source added.

The PPDF aims to help SADC address the implementation of the SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP), which will promote and contribute to improved regional economic integration. The purpose of the PPDF funding is to enhance sustainable economic growth and delivery of key services affecting development in the SADC Region by addressing constraints to infrastructure development.

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has been appointed by the SADC Secretariat as the implementing agent and fund manager for the PPDF.

The main objectives of SADC are to achieve development, peace and security, and economic growth, alleviate poverty, improve the standard of living and quality of life of the peoples of southern Africa, and support the socially disadvantaged through regional integration based on democratic principles and equitable and sustainable development. (Letter)