About

The IncoMaputo Transboundary Project strengthens cooperative, climate‑resilient management of the Incomati and Maputo River Basins, shared by Eswatini, Mozambique, and South Africa.

The IncoMaputo Transboundary Project strengthens cooperative, climate‑resilient management of the Incomati and Maputo River Basins, shared by Eswatini, Mozambique, and South Africa. These adjacent transboundary basins are vital for water, food, energy, biodiversity, and livelihoods of 3.4 million people, while safeguarding globally significant ecosystems such as the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) and Maputo Bay.

The Incomati and Maputo basins face growing pressures from climate change, altered flows, unsustainable land and water use, pollution, and ecosystem degradation, especially downstream and in coastal areas. The project addresses these challenges by strengthening INMACOM’s institutional capacity and improving coordination across river basin, conservation, and coastal management institutions.

The project applies a science‑based, inclusive source‑to‑sea approach to improve data sharing, joint planning, governance, and strategic investment, while piloting gender‑responsive, community‑based livelihood solutions. Six demonstration sites (two per country) translate this approach into practical action, addressing water, food, energy, and environmental security, ecosystem restoration, and gender‑responsive livelihoods, and generating lessons for replication across the basin. The pilot sites are:

Eswatini: Mkhondvo–Ngwavuma (Mpakeni Dam zoning and catchment management) and Lomati FARMWISE Smart Agriculture.
Mozambique: Matutuine–Manhangane (Maputo River estuary/Maputo Bay interface) and Magude District.
South Africa: Donkerhoek Stewardship Area and the Dingleydale Irrigation Scheme.

The project links freshwater, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems to enhance water security, restore ecosystems, build climate resilience, and support sustainable livelihoods, while reinforcing regional cooperation and long‑term environmental security across the basin.

PROJECT TITLE: Strengthening Integrated Transboundary Management of the Incomati and Maputo River Basins.

PROJECT DURATION:72 months (July 8, 2025 – July 7, 2031)

GRAND-TOTAL PROJECT FINANCING: $ 71,142,249

NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES:

9 964 Women (52%)
9 096 Men (48%)

HECTARAGE RESTORED:

Restore 12, 867 hectares of land of Eco systems
Support sustainable ecosystem management practices on 35, 992 hectares of land

EXECUTING AGENCY: UNDP

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER: GWPSA.

CUSTODIAN: (INMACOM)

MEMBER STATES: Republic of South Africa, Republic of Mozambique, Kingdom of Eswatini.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

To promote integrated source-to-sea management of the Incomati and Maputo River Basins and coastal zones to ensure environmental security and inclusive livelihoods.

PROJECT COMPONENTS

Component 1: Strengthening regional governance frameworks for transboundary basin management, including application of source-to-sea management approach –

Component 2: Facilitating a knowledge-based approach for source-to-sea management –

Component 3: Support basin-wide and coastal zone strategic planning and investment mobilization

Component 4: Creating sustainable livelihoods through enhancing water, food, energy and environmental security

Component 5: Knowledge generation, communication, and dissemination