China-Lesotho Cooperation Advances with Major Tunnel Boring milestone at Polihali Project

The launch of a Tunnel-Boring Machine (TBM) at the Polihali Transfer Tunnel Project marked a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP).

The Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho, H.E. Mr. Yang Xiaokun attended the ceremony on Wednesday, January 15. This event symbolizes the strengthening of trilateral cooperation between China, Lesotho, and South Africa in developing critical water infrastructure in Southern Africa.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is one of Africa’s largest water transfer schemes and most ambitious engineering endeavors. Its primary purpose is to harness the water resources of Lesotho’s mountains to benefit both the Kingdom of Lesotho and neighboring South Africa.

Through a series of dams, tunnels, and hydropower facilities, the project diverts water from the highlands of Lesotho to the Gauteng province in South Africa while simultaneously generating hydroelectric power for Lesotho.

The Polihali Transfer Tunnel, where the TBM launching ceremony took place, is a crucial component of Phase II of the LHWP. This phase includes the construction of the Polihali Dam and a 38-kilometer tunnel system that will transfer water to the existing Katse Dam. The introduction of the TBM technology represents a significant technological advancement in the project’s construction methodology, promising faster and more efficient tunnel excavation.

The benefits of this massive infrastructure project are far-reaching. For Lesotho, one of Africa’s least developed countries, the project provides substantial economic advantages. Through royalties from water transfers to South Africa, Lesotho gains a reliable source of foreign revenue, which contributes significantly to its GDP. The hydropower component helps address Lesotho’s domestic electricity needs, reducing dependency on imported power and supporting economic development.

For South Africa, particularly the industrial heartland of Gauteng province, the project ensures a stable supply of high-quality water, crucial for sustaining urban development and economic growth. The water transfer system helps meet the growing demands of both industrial users and a rapidly expanding urban population.

The project also creates substantial employment opportunities for local communities, with thousands of jobs generated during construction phases. Additionally, the development of access roads, bridges, and other auxiliary infrastructure has improved connectivity in Lesotho’s remote mountainous regions, benefiting local communities long after construction is complete.

China’s involvement in the project, through technical expertise and construction capacity, exemplifies the growing Sino-African cooperation in infrastructure development. Chinese engineering firms bring valuable experience in large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly in challenging mountainous terrain. This collaboration aligns with China’s broader Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to enhance international infrastructure connectivity and economic cooperation.

Environmental considerations have been integrated into the project design, with comprehensive environmental impact assessments and management plans in place. These include measures to protect local ecosystems, maintain minimum river flows, and support affected communities through various social development programs.

The launch of the TBM represents not just a technical milestone but also highlights the successful international cooperation between three nations working together to address regional water security challenges. As climate change continues to affect water resources globally, such collaborative efforts in water infrastructure development become increasingly vital for sustainable development and regional stability.

This trilateral cooperation serves as a model for future international infrastructure projects in Africa, demonstrating how technical expertise, regional cooperation, and careful planning can come together to create lasting benefits for multiple nations and their peoples.