Trymore Tagwirei

The government says it has secured nearly €20 million (about US$23 million) to fund a five-year ecological restoration programme for Lake Chivero, Harare’s main water source, in an effort to reverse decades of pollution.

The project will be implemented in partnership with Netherlands-based environmental technology firm LG Sonic, which specialises in chemical-free water restoration systems.

The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion said the initiative was agreed following a meeting between Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube and LG Sonic chief executive officer Mr Yousef Yousef on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

“Professor Ncube held a productive engagement with LG Sonic CEO Yousef Yousef to discuss advanced, science-based solutions for the treatment and restoration of Lake Chivero,” the ministry said in a statement.

Half of the €19.8 million funding package has been secured as a grant from the Dutch government through Invest International, reducing Zimbabwe’s fiscal exposure.

According to the ministry, Lake Chivero has suffered severe ecological degradation due to decades of untreated sewage, agricultural runoff and industrial effluent, resulting in persistent harmful algal blooms.

“This has resulted in hazardous cyanobacteria blooms that threaten public health, aquatic life and water treatment operations,” the ministry said, adding that recent fish kills had highlighted the urgency for intervention.

LG Sonic’s proposed solution uses ultrasound-based technology to control harmful algae without chemicals, supported by real-time water quality monitoring.

“Government is considering a comprehensive five-year restoration programme anchored on chemical-free, nature-based technologies and long-term ecosystem rehabilitation,” the ministry said.

Authorities say the programme comes at a critical time as government moves to rehabilitate strategic water resources and reduce the high cost of water treatment in Harare.