Located on the Zambezi River, straddling the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Kariba Dam has been vital to Southern Africa’s energy supply since 1960. Standing 128 meters tall, it supports Lake Kariba, the world’s largest man-made reservoir by volume at 183 cubic kilometers. With a 2,010 MW capacity, the dam provides electricity to both nations, underscoring its importance to regional energy stability.
After decades of operation, the dam’s spillway required structural upgrades. Since 2019, a consortium of international and regional engineering firms has undertaken this complex refurbishment. The project involves replacing and modernizing key spillway components without lowering the reservoir level, achieved through advanced cofferdam systems, underwater operations, and precise coordination.
The refurbishment is funded by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the Swedish Government through a combination of loans and grants to Zambia and Zimbabwe. This financial support ensures both immediate technical improvements and the long-term sustainability of the dam, a cornerstone of the region’s infrastructure.
With Sluice 2 now in commissioning and all six sluices nearing completion, the project is approaching its final phase. This milestone highlights not only technical progress but also effective collaboration between regional and international partners.
Gruner Stucky stated: “This is more than just a milestone — it’s a testament to collaboration, resilience, and innovation in dam safety and infrastructure sustainability.” The company emphasized the collective effort driving the project’s success.
The Kariba Dam refurbishment strengthens the facility’s role in supporting Zambia and Zimbabwe’s energy needs while promoting sustainable infrastructure development. As the project progresses, it continues to serve as a model for regional cooperation and engineering excellence in Africa’s hydropower sector.
