Zambezi Watercourse Commission Commend Ethiopia for Riverside Dev’t Project

Addis Ababa, March 18, 2026 (ENA) —Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) delegates have commended Ethiopia for its impressive Riverside Development Project in promoting environmental restoration and sustainable urban development.

Following the visit to the Riverside Development projects in Addis Ababa, Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) Chair, Elice Engelbert, said "this is an amazing project" beyond her expectation. 

She noted the project's dual focus on recreational space and environmental conservation, emphasizing its role in ecological restoration. 

It serves as a crucial example of integrated planning that accommodates diverse interests from various sectors, the Chairperson added. 

Urging African nations to recognize their own capabilities in similar initiatives, Engelbert stressed that Africans have the capacity to do their own projects.

"This is a call for others to learn from the Ethiopians," she said, noting that valuable insights can be gained from such localized efforts.

The "Ethiopian government has successfully mobilized communities, the private sector, and various institutions to secure financial resources for a project that primarily focuses on restoring degraded environments." 

Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) Executive Secretary, Felix Ngamlagosi highlighted the transformative potential of the project for other African nations.  

Ngamlagosi pointed out that the rivers, which were once polluted and neglected, are undergoing a remarkable transformation.

According to him, the initiative is a significant solution to environmental degradation and capable of revitalizing towns and river basins. 

"The riverside development project provides an attractive environment where people can relax, businesses can flourish, and jobs can be created for youth and women alike," the Executive Secretary noted. 

For his part, he also urged other cities across the continent to learn from Addis Ababa where effective planning has the potential to turn urban areas into appealing destinations. 

The Executive Secretary elaborated that what Ethiopia has achieved in environmental conservation and watershed management marks a new chapter for Africa, showcasing the continent's capacity to innovate and build for the future.  

ZAMCOM delegate, Chipo Phiri, said that "from Entoto Mountain down to the center of Addis Ababa, the land was degraded; but now it has been revitalized". 

She stated that the project not only benefits the environment but also encourages a cultural shift towards healthier lifestyles and showcases the potential for African nations to mobilize resources internally. 

Another ZAMCOM delegate, Gilbert Mawere, described the Riverside Development Project as a benchmark for positive economic growth in Ethiopia.  

"I am very impressed by the developments I have witnessed," he said, pointing at the significant changes since his last visit of Addis Ababa 15 years ago. 

Emphasizing the importance of a cooperative approach among government and private sectors to achieve comprehensive development, Mawere called for enhanced collaboration among the eight Zambezi riparian countries to adopt similar initiatives. 

ZAMCOM’s objective is to promote the equitable and reasonable utilization of the water resources of the Zambezi Watercourse as well as the efficient management and sustainable development thereof.