Cost Sharing Frameworks in Transboundary Water Governance: Economic Implications for Zambia In the Hydropolitical Landscape of Southern Africa

This paper explores the financial and economic dimensions of hydropolitics within the Zambezi River Basin by evaluating the cost of sharing fram eworks in force in the management of transboundary water resources. Its focus is Zambia’s participation in the management of the transboundary waters of the Zambezi basin and development of associated water infrastructure under the Zambezi River Course Commission (ZAMCOM) agreement. It assesses how costs are shared among member states, financial equity and the impact on Zambia’s public financial management. Secondary data was collected from documents that included ZAMCOM financial and technical reports, Audit reports, Policy documents, Protocols and Agreements and project appraisals from multi lateral financiers followed by documentary analysis. The study revealed that there is no clear and transparent model for cost allocation to ensure good water governance practices and effective management of transboundary waters in the Zambezi basin. As a result, Zambia, an upstream riparian state, is overburdened with costs for managing and protecting transboundary waters within its jurisdiction.