Hydropolitics in Tanzania

The hydropolitical conditions spanning the Nile basin have altered the domestic water landscape within Tanzania. Egyptian dominance, supported by the Anglo-Egyptian treaty, has significantly restricted Tanzanians autonomous water development projects. This again raises questions surrounding Tanzanian sovereignty within the geopolitical, hydrological and financial landscape within which it exists.

 

In 2004, Tanzania announced plans to construct a ‘105-mile pipeline drawing water from Lake Victoria,’, which Egypt blocked, stating that ‘Tanzania cannot construct any project without British permission’ as stipulated in the 1929 treaty (Mahlakeng, 2017:79). In a country where 4 million people don’t have access to clean drinking water, the Lake Victoria pipeline was intended for domestic use, hoping to provide clean water for up to 400,000 people, a number that was expected to grow to 900,000 over the next two decades. "These are people with no water," said the Tanzanian water minister, Edward Lowasa. "How can we do nothing when we have this lake just sitting there?" (The Guardian). With one of the highest rates of urbanisation, causing ever-rising water demands, leaving the vast resources of Lake Victoria untapped seems nonsensical. However, after Egypt’s threats to bomb any construction sites, the project was abandoned.

Lake Victoria, the largest Lake in Africa 

This contrasts sharply with the recent construction of the Julius Nyerere dam on the Rufiji river, a $2.9bn construction contract being awarded to two Egyptian companies. Tanzania is also working closely with the Egyptian government on this and it is said to be a sign of ‘continuous cooperation between the two countries’. The Julius Nyerere Dam is set to be the largest in Tanzania, with a reservoir holding 34 billion cubic metres of water and generating 2,115 megawatts.

The Julius Nyerere Dam, Tanzania 

So, why was the comparatively smaller Lake Victoria pipeline vehemently opposed by Egypt, whilst the Julius Nyerere Dam has gone ahead ,and is so intimately connected to the Egyptian government? Some argue that the ‘joint venture of Egyptian companies, proves wrong Ethiopian claims that Cairo is standing in the way of development projects in Africa’ (Al Moniter, 2020). However, the fact the Julius Nyerere Dam is being constructed on the Rufiji river, a river that runs in its entirety inside Tanzania, as opposed to on the Nile, indicates that Egypt’s hydropolitical position has not changed. Rather, Egypt might gain from the Julius Nyerere Dam, as Tanzania may be less eager to develop its share of the Nile Basin. It begs this question - why was the Egyptian government so closely involved with the planning stages of the Julius Nyere Dam at all? It’s not being constructed on the banks of the Nile and thus had no legal authority over the project. This is another example of how political clout has the potential to extend beyond its legal boundaries, transforming into both financial and cultural influence. It is important to note that unlike the Victoria Pipeline, the Julius Nyere Dam will prove devastating to the Selous Game Reserve where it is being built. Moreover, the environmental assessment has been described as ‘completely inadequate,’ not showing sufficient evidence of the projects economic viability, social impacts (IUCN). It is clear, it this scenario the hydro-electirc potential is being considered more valuable to Tanzania than the ecological integrity of the Seleous Game Reserve.

 

Egypt has not blocked all Nile- based HEP developments for Tanzania. The Rusumo Dam is a notable exception. Built on what is sometimes referred to as Alexandra Nile, the Kangera River feeds into Lake Victoria. However, it must be noted this 80 megawatt dam is comparatively small, with limited opportunities for expansion, unlike the Lake Victoria pipeline.