The Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC)  and the Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) aimed at enhancing collaboration in the sustainable management of transboundary water resources and environmental protection across the Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria basins.

The signing of the MoC facilitated through the EAC4Nature project supported by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development (BMZ) through GIZ establishes a formal framework for cooperation between the two regional institutions, reinforcing their shared commitment to safeguarding vital freshwater ecosystems while promoting socio-economic development for communities dependent on the lakes.

LVBC, a specialized institution of the East African Community established under the Protocol for Sustainable Development of Lake Victoria Basin (2003) and anchored under Article 114 of the EAC Treaty (1999) and the Lake Victoria Basin Commission Act 2022, coordinates sustainable development and management of the Lake Victoria Basin.

LTA, established in 2008 by the Governments of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Zambia under the Convention on the Sustainable Management of Lake Tanganyika, is mandated to ensure the sustainable management of Lake Tanganyika and its natural resources.

Key Areas of Cooperation

Under the five-year agreement, the Parties will collaborate in the following priority areas:

  • Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM):Joint initiatives on water assessment, monitoring, and sustainable water use policies.
  • Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation:Development and implementation of joint projects to protect ecosystems, manage invasive species, control pollution, and restore habitats.
  • Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation:Joint research and implementation of climate resilience strategies, renewable energy promotion, and sustainable land management practices.
  • Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing:Organization of joint training programs, workshops, and technical exchange initiatives.
  • Community Engagement and Socio-economic Development:Promotion of community-led livelihood initiatives and cross-border development cooperation.
  • Disaster Risk Reduction and Management:Strengthening early warning systems, preparedness, and coordinated response to floods, droughts, and climate-related hazards.
  • Maritime Safety and Security:Prevention of maritime pollution from shipping activities, benchmarking best practices, and joint resource mobilization to enhance safety and security.

Implementation and Governance

To ensure effective implementation, the MoC provides for the establishment of a Joint Implementation Committee composed of two representatives from each institution. The Committee will oversee coordinated work plans, budgets, annual progress reporting, and biennial evaluations to guide future collaboration.

The Memorandum will remain in force for five years from the date of entry into force and may be renewed by mutual consent. It reflects the Parties’ recognition of the critical importance of cooperative approaches in addressing shared environmental challenges and advancing regional integration.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Masinde K. Bwire, Executive Secretary of LVBC, and Mr. Sylvain Tusanga Mukanga, Executive Director of LTA, reaffirmed their institutions’ commitment to strengthening partnerships that promote sustainable water resource management, climate resilience, and improved livelihoods across the region.

The signing of this MoC marks a significant milestone in regional cooperation, reinforcing a shared vision for healthy lake ecosystems and sustainable development in Eastern and Southern Africa.