Celebrating the growth, 30 Years of OKACOM- Namibia Insights

As we mark the significant milestone of 30 years of existence of the Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM), it is essential to reflect on its journey, achievements, and future prospects. Established in 1994, OKACOM has played a crucial role in fostering cooperation among the Member States of Angola, Botswana and Namibia, and in the sustainable management of the Cubango-Okavango River Basin. In an interview with Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata the Co-Chair Commissioner for Namibia and the Executive Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform in Namibia, we gained valuable insights into the benefits and progress evolution over the past three decades.

What role has OKACOM played in managing the Basin over the past 30 years and how successful has this been thus far?

The process has started with the signing of the OKACOM agreement for the sustainable use of the Cubango-Okavango River Basin (CORB) resources, in September 1994 by the three Riparian States of Angola, Botswana and Namibia. The Agreement has facilitated dialogue between the Member States and the building of trust and goodwill. After almost 20 years, this has resulted in a process of agreeing on a joint vision for the development of the basin which addressed equitable sharing of benefits while conserving the ecological integrity of the river system. As a River Basin Organisation, the OKACOM has worked tirelessly and created a conducive environment for the attraction of Development Partners to contribute to the development plans of the CORB. One of the major tangible achievements of the Member State cooperation, is the formulation of a strategic basin-wide Strategic Action Program (SAP), in which an acceptable level of development was explored and agreed upon.  Integrated planning was enabled through the SAP.
 National Action Plans (NAPs) for the respective Member States have emanated from the SAP, which is implemented in the respective MS and this facilitated strengthening of national basin management structures and creation of multi-stakeholder forums. OKACOM has also facilitated the development of a Hydrological Data Sharing Protocol which was endorsed by the Member States to facilitate information sharing on the surface water hydrology. With the expansion of the scope of the Commission, this Protocol was revised and through national and basin-wide consultations, it was transformed into the Rules and Procedures on the Sharing of Data and Information for the CORB. Furthermore, through OKACOM facilitation,  the countries are currently working on a Water Allocation Strategy, which was not prioritised before the signing of a cooperation agreement.

What are some of the benefits for Namibia which have come about by the joint management of the Basin?

On a national basis, because of the trust and goodwill that was secured over the years, we could make use of the Okavango River resources for example – improved irrigation schemes and the small scale industries like the  Uvunghu-Vungu Dairy Farm, to ensure food security for our people living in the Basin. Through the cooperation of international partners and our national government, we were able to improve water supply and sanitation facilities for the local basin communities The cooperation has also created the platform for exposure to the identification of development needs and having the opportunity to priorities such needs as a Member State, at all levels starting from basin community to national government on the OKACOM level. This includes the identification of future   potential benefits for Namibia through the inter-basin transfer of water from the Okavango River to augment water supply in the central areas of Namibia.

Furthermore, we benefitted a great deal in strengthening our national data collection in terms of water quality and quantity monitoring and assessment, through the joint basin environmental monitoring facilitated by the OKACOM with the support of Cooperation Partners. As a Member State of OKACOM, we are the beneficiaries of improved Fisheries Management Plans and Strategies for the riparian communities as well as Community based Tourism activities, through Demonstration Projects that were implemented in our country as part of the OKACOM coordinated execution of the Strategic Action Programme for the CORB, with support from Cooperation Partners. We are also privileged that the lower Okavango River in Namibia has been declared as a RAMSAR site – meaning that it is recognised as a wetland of international importance. The Bwabwata-Okavango Ramsar site is important to our country as it contributes to biodiversity conservation, sustain ecosystems, and offer crucial resources for livelihoods, while also supporting ecotourism and climate change mitigation.  With this recognition, Namibia showcases our national commitment to the conservation and management of this wetland under an internationally accepted framework.

What does Namibia hope for the future in terms of the joint management, and opportunities to strengthen the collaboration amongst Member States? What could be the main focus?

The main focus of the Riparian States is to ensure the sustainability of the OKACOM and its Secretariat in terms of resources, through adequate Member State contributions to the operational plans and activities of the Commission. We hope that the Commission will be less reliant on donor support and in this regard, we want to see the expedition of our CORB Fund implementation, which was established to enhance livelihoods and provide equitable benefits to its Member States.