Windhoek:The Coca-Cola Company, in collaboration with Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), is investing $1.22 million over a five-year period to enhance water security in the Swakop River Basin. The initiative, known as the //Gam-i Swakop Basin Resilience Project, was launched on Thursday and aims to address water scarcity issues and strengthen community resilience to droughts and climate changes.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the project involves constructing two sand storage dams, restoring 235 hectares of land, and planting 750 trees. Implemented in partnership with Global Water Challenge and WWF Namibia, the project seeks to improve water storage capacity, manage aquifer recharge, and remove invasive alien plants to alleviate water resource pressures.

CCBA's Chief Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Officer, Layla Jeevanantham, highlighted Namibia's challenges with recurring droughts and climate variability, emphasizing the need for collective action. The project will also involve drilling two boreholes to support groundwater recharge and developing a resilience action plan for the Swakop River Basin.

The Swakop River Basin is a crucial water source for Windhoek and nearby communities. The initiative is part of Coca-Cola's Africa Water Stewardship Initiative, which plans to invest nearly $25 million to tackle water challenges in 20 African countries by 2030. The project is supported by several ministries and organizations, including the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, and the City of Windhoek.