Catuane Groundwater Project

On 30 July 2026, INMACOM’s Gender and Social Safeguards and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist’s joined the INMACOM Groundwater Task Team on a monitoring and supervision mission to the Catuane Groundwater Project in Matutuine District, Mozambique.

The visit was part of ongoing oversight of Phase 2 water-supply infrastructure works, including reticulation and pipeline installation, to assess implementation progress, compliance, and overall project performance.

The Project is a regional water security initiative being implemented by INMACOM with funding support from the SADC Groundwater Management Institute through World Bank. The project will address long-standing water supply challenges faced by communities in Catuane.

The project will transform water security in Catuane through development of a sustainable groundwater-based water supply system, providing reliable access to safe drinking water for more than 7,500 residents, the initiative will strengthen community health and well-being, support agricultural production and livestock development, enhance resilience to climate variability, and foster stronger transboundary cooperation among Mozambique, Eswatini, and South Africa. Furthermore, the project is expected to improve livelihoods and more sustainable management of shared water resources across the region. The project is implemented within the framework of transboundary water cooperation between three Member States.

As the project approaches its final stages, the team reviewed construction progress, compliance with approved designs, and the quality, safety and functionality of the infrastructure being developed. The monitoring process included attention to borehole development, trenching, pipe installation, water-quality requirements, occupational health and safety, and preparations for testing, commissioning and handover.

The Monitoring and Evaluation, as well as the Gender and Social Safeguards Specialists strengthened project oversight by assessing implementation progress, contractor performance, safeguards compliance, and results documentation, while promoting safe labour practices, inclusive stakeholder engagement, gender-based violence prevention, and the protection of vulnerable groups.

Environmental and social safeguards remain a key priority, ensuring safe construction practices and worker protection. The project is improving access to reliable, groundwater-based water supplies to strengthen community resilience and support livelihoods in Catuane.

As the project enters its final phase, INMACOM will maintain oversight of construction standards, safeguards implementation, and project results to ensure the water supply system is fully operational and ready for commissioning and handover.

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