Prospects for meeting demand for potable water
Africa’s has the fastest growing urban population globally. It is estimated that within 12 years, Africa will have six megacities with Johannesburg, Luanda and Dar es Salaam joining Cairo, Lagos and Kinshasa which already have urban populations exceeding 10-million people.
Such growth is placing huge stress on water utilities and operators to supply and treat water for human consumption. It is widely accepted that the sector requires urgent investment with many water supply systems on the continent in a state of disrepair after years of underinvestment and limited maintenance. Furthermore, the scarcity of water resources, particularly in drought prone areas, is forcing governments to seek alternative ways and means to meet demand for potable water. Recent interventions include:
● Rwanda’s Water and Sanitation Corporation has commenced prequalification for the selection of an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the rehabilitation, upgrading and extension of the water supply network in Kigali City and periurban areas. The project includes the design and construction of pipelines (512km), pumping stations and water storage reservoirs. Invitations to bid are expected to be made in November 2017.
● Planning is under way for the construction of a new desalination plant and water carriage system to substitute expected future water deficits along Namibia’s Central Coast and in Windhoek. A consultant will be shortly be appointed to carry out a feasibility study which will include a financing structure and arrangement for long-term operatorship.
● Preparations are ongoing for the construction of the new Ngwerere and Chunga wastewater treatment plants in Lusaka. The project will be implemented on a design-build basis through the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company. Construction is expected to be carried out over two years.
● Bidding for Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project is imminent. The project represents the largest water transfer scheme in southern Africa with capital investment reaching an estimated R23bn on completion in 2025. Phase 2 will see a raft of large value contracts being tendered for roads, bridges, water transfer and hydropower infrastructure. This includes construction of the Polihali Dam and transfer tunnel which is expected to commence by the end of 2019 or early 2020.
● The World Bank in July approved funding of $345m in support of the Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project. The project has a total value of $421m. To be implemented through the Tanzania Ports Authority, the project includes deepening and strengthening of berths, construction of a new multipurpose berth at Gerezani Creek, and improving rail linkages and the rail platform serving the port. Prequalification of contractors for dredging works to deepen and widen the entrance channel and turning basin of Dar es Salaam Port is now under way.
● The Scaling Solar initiative mobilises a set of World Bank services under a single engagement to establish viable markets for solar power. To date, four African countries have signed up to Scaling Solar — Zambia, Senegal, Ethiopia and Madagascar. Zambia is now implementing the second round of its Scaling Solar Project which envisages the procurement of up to 300MW of grid-connected utility-scale solar projects. Twelve bidders have been prequalified as possible project developers. The Industrial Development Corporation of Zambia is looking to advertise round three before the end of the year.