The history of the Zambezi River Authority may be said to have begun in November 1964, when the Central African Council appointed the Inter-Territorial Hydro-Electric Commission.
The history of the Zambezi River Authority may be said to have begun in November 1964, when the Central African Council appointed the Inter-Territorial Hydro-Electric Commission. Earlier, in May 1951, the Commission had recommended the development of a dam at Kariba together with a hydro-electric power station. In June 1954, the Hydro-Electric Power Act was passed, providing for the establishment of the Federal Hydro-Electric Board, which was responsible for coordinating the generation and supply of electricity within the Federation.
In May 1956, the Federal Power Board was established following the enactment of the Electricity Act, replacing the Federal Hydro-Electric Board. The new Board was given powers to construct dams and power stations, transmit electric power, and sell electricity to electricity undertakings. A hydrological data collection organisation operating in each territory was also established.
Following the dissolution of the Federation in 1963, the integrated systems for the generation and transmission of electricity continued to operate as a single system under the joint ownership and control of the Governments of Northern and Southern Rhodesia through the Central African Power Corporation (CAPCO), which was established in the same year. CAPCO took over the assets and liabilities of the Federal Power Board and was responsible for supplying electricity to electricity undertakings in the two territories. Its operations were regulated by a higher authority for power, comprising two ministers appointed by each of the two Governments.
In 1987, the Zambezi River Authority Act was passed simultaneously in Zambia and Zimbabwe, resulting in the dissolution of CAPCO and its reconstitution as the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA). CAPCO was divested of its electricity production and bulk distribution assets, which were allocated to the national electricity undertakings of the two countries. The ZRA was therefore left with the responsibility of operating and maintaining the Kariba Dam Complex, investigating and developing new dam sites along the Zambezi River, and analysing and disseminating hydrological and environmental information relating to the Zambezi River and Lake Kariba.
To be a leading transboundary river basin authority, driving sustainable water resource management and regional prosperity.
To sustainably manage the Zambezi River system and the Kariba Dam Complex for the benefit of present and future generations.
From CAPCO to the ZRA
Established in 1987, the Authority represents the shared interests of Zambia and Zimbabwe. We operate as a technical body overseeing the water resources of the common Zambezi river reach.
