Cuba to help with Namibia's push for nationwide canal network

Namibia is set to deepen technical cooperation with Cuba on water harvesting and distribution, with the two countries set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that could provide Namibia with Cuban expertise in developing canals, tunnels and other water infrastructure.

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, who was on an official visit to Cuba recently, said the proposed agreement would focus on strengthening Namibia’s capacity to harvest and distribute floodwater, particularly in regions that frequently experience water shortages despite receiving substantial seasonal floodwaters.

Under the proposed cooperation, technical expertise would be sought to develop water-harvesting systems in the Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kavango West, Kavango East, Zambezi, Kunene and //Kharas regions.

Ngurare said the infrastructure could include canals and other water-transfer systems capable of moving excess water from areas prone to flooding to communities and regions facing shortages.

“Where there are dams such as Oanab, Hardap, Naute and Neckartal Dam, such water can also be channelled to areas most needing water,” he said.

The prime minister pointed to Cuba’s extensive water infrastructure as an example Namibia could learn from, noting that the Caribbean country has developed a network of dams, tunnels and canals to distribute and store water across its territory.

He said Cuba has about 242 dams from which water is channelled to different parts of the countryside, while harvested water is stored during years when rainfall is insufficient.

The proposed Namibia-Cuba cooperation comes as Namibia explores ways of making greater use of seasonal floodwaters, particularly in the north and north-eastern parts of the country, where large volumes of water can be available during rainy seasons but are difficult to retain and distribute.

Ngurare said Namibia had already agreed to procure a Chinese contractor to extend canals from Onamakunde and Ondombondola towards the Namibian border.

However, he said additional infrastructure would be required once the water reaches the Namibian side of the border, creating an opportunity for the proposed MoU with Cuba to provide technical expertise and designs for the next phase.

“Once that water reaches the Namibian border, we need more designs to channel that water. This MoU will come in handy,” Ngurare said.

The envisaged water-harvesting and distribution network could extend beyond the immediate floodwater projects, with several potential canals and water-transfer routes identified for further development.

These include the Etaka Canal, Oshigambo Canal, Mpungu-Nzinze, Ncaute-Ndonga-Linena, Bukalo and Dreihuk, among others.

The initiative forms part of Namibia’s broader efforts to strengthen water security, improve climate resilience and reduce the impact of recurring droughts and floods.