KEY POINTS
- Kariba Dam rehabilitation nears completion with the Sluice 5 test.
- The project secures electricity for millions in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- The repair of the final gate represents a critical step in the upgrade of the infrastructure.
The long-running overhaul of the Kariba Dam has cleared another hurdle, with engineers completing a crucial controlled leakage test on Sluice 5—the penultimate gate in a series of repairs.
The Zambezi River Authority, which oversees the giant hydroelectric facility on the Zambia–Zimbabwe border, said the trial confirms the refurbished gate is operating exactly as designed. Only Sluice 6 now remains on the to-do list.
Kariba Dam rehabilitation enters final phase
The latest test, conducted last Wednesday, involved the tightly managed release of about 1,500 cubic metres of water, a standard safety procedure that checks for precision and durability in the gate’s performance.
Moreover, similar trials have already taken place on Sluices 1 through 4.
The rehabilitation program spans multiple engineering tasks: rebuilding the spillway gates, constructing a cofferdam to control water flow during works, and reinforcing the plunge pool—the churning basin beneath the dam wall—to safeguard the structure’s long-term stability.
Engineering milestone for Kariba Dam rehabilitation
Funding for the project comes from a coalition of backers: the European Union, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and the governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The dam, one of Africa’s most important pieces of hydro-infrastructure, generates electricity for millions across both countries.
ZRA officials called the Sluice 5 test “a critical checkpoint” in delivering a safe, fully upgraded facility on schedule. “This is another important step forward,” the authority said, adding that each test plays a role in maintaining energy security in the region.
Power lifeline for Zimbabwe and Zambia
Once complete, the rehabilitation will ensure the dam’s continued role as a cornerstone of economic growth, providing reliable hydroelectric power and reducing the risk of costly outages.
ZRA says optimism is high that the Kariba Dam rehabilitation will conclude without major setbacks, paving the way for decades of safe operation and steady electricity supply to Zambia and Zimbabwe.
