Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project

The Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (MZWP) is an ambitious project being undertaken in the arid Matabeleland North province of Zimbabwe.The project seeks to end the perennial water shortages bedevilling Zimbabwe's second city of Bulawayo by bringing water from the mighty Zambezi river to the city.

Gwayi-Shangani
Gwayi-Shangani
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Coordinates	18°30′26″S 27°11′22″E
Type	(project) reservoir
Catchment area	39,076 km2 (15,087 sq mi)
Basin countries	Zimbabwe
Max. depth	70 m (230 ft)
Water volume	634 million cubic metres (514,000 acre⋅ft)
Surface elevation	817 m (2,680 ft)

The project

The project can be classified as a major project. It is expected to cost US$600 million which is a huge investment by African standards. The project will consist of three phases as follows:

• Phase one: Gwayi-Shangani Dam
• Phase two: Gwayi-Shangani Dam to Bulawayo Pipeline
• Phase three: Gwayi-Shangani Dam to Zambezi River Pipelne

Phase one: Gwayi-Shangani Dam

The Gwayi-Shangani dam is the first phase of the MZWP and is the core of the project. Commenced in September 2004, it is expected to provide a reservoir for this project. The dam will be located about 6 km downstream of the confluence of the Gwayi River and Shangani River.

As of May 2025, completion of this dam within its projected completion year of 2025 is under doubt.^[1]

Dam type and description

• Type: It is a roller-compacted concrete gravity dam, which means it is a dam relying on its weight for stability.
• Dimensions
  • Length: 305 metres from one mountain to the other.
  • Width: 60 metres at the base.
  • Height: 70 metres maximum.
  • Bridge: Dam will have a bridge at the top of width 8 m.
• Depth and capacity
  • Maximum water depth: 59 metres, 11 metres freeboard.
  • Capacity: 634 million m³
  • 10% Yield: 210 million m³
• Materials used and quantities
  • Concrete: 300,000 m³
  • Quarry: 400,000 m³
  • Cement/water ratio: 0.55
  • Fly ash/cement ratio: 7:3
  • Concrete grades: dental 20, other 25.

Phase two: Gwayi-Shangani Dam to Bulawayo Pipeline

The envisaged pipeline will be 260 km. Construction of the pipeline is scheduled to be completed in 2022. In April 2021, the Government of Zimbabwe floated a tender for the construction of the pipeline.