The Mapai Dam and Water Complex is a multipurpose dam on the Limpopo River in Gaza Province. It combines flood control, irrigation and a 60 MW mini-hydroelectric plant. Working together with the Massingir Dam, it will provide immediate flood protection to Xai-Xai and Chókwè in the Lower Limpopo Valley, where people and economic assets are frequently exposed to flooding made worse by climate change. Once the water complex is operational, the irrigated area could grow from 37,000 hectares to 150,000–300,000 hectares, a four- to eight-fold increase in irrigated agricultural production. The project is needed to protect lives and assets from floods and to turn Gaza into the main breadbasket of southern Mozambique, and potentially a regional exporter of agricultural commodities.
Project overview
Investment opportunity
The project requires USD 1 billion and the Government is seeking equity and hydro-infrastructure partners. The feasibility study has been completed and shows the dam could generate 60 MW of electricity. It has several value streams: power generation, irrigation water for 150,000–300,000 ha of farmland, and flood protection for the Lower Limpopo Valley. Partners would join a sequenced programme: a feasibility study (EIA) update, MOU and financial close, and EPC contract award in 2027; river diversion, mini-hydro assembly and primary irrigation canals in 2028; and reservoir filling, Phase 1 irrigation and full commissioning in 2029.
Investment types sought
Project status
Development stage
Feasibility & due diligence
Current status / progress to date
Feasibility study completed. Next: update of the feasibility study (EIA), MOU with partners and financial close, and EPC contract award in 2027, with full commissioning and flood defence targeted for 2029.
Expected impact
Jobs created / supported
Not quantified in the pipeline. Jobs would come from dam and canal construction (2027–2029), and longer term from the expansion of irrigated farming across up to 300,000 ha and from operating the hydro plant.
Economic & development benefits
- Irrigated area could grow from 37,000 ha to 150,000–300,000 ha (4–8x)
- Makes Gaza the main breadbasket of southern Mozambique
- Potential regional exports of agricultural commodities
- 60 MW of electricity generation
- Protects economic assets in the Lower Limpopo Valley
Climate & resilience benefits
- Flood protection for Xai-Xai and Chókwè, in coordination with the Massingir Dam
- Reduces exposure of people and assets to climate-driven flooding
- Water storage strengthens resilience of irrigated agriculture to drought
- 60 MW of renewable hydroelectric power
Contact
Contact team
For more information about this project, please contact the Commonwealth Investment Platform team.