The Polihali Dam Project in Lesotho, constructed by the Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA), has reached a significant milestone with the completion of the full-section fill to its design elevation of EL. 1977 metres, equivalent to a dam height of 65 metres. This achievement, announced on 6 December 2025, signals the transition of the region’s largest water diversion control initiative into its peak construction phase.
Located in the Mokhotlong District of northeastern Lesotho, the Polihali Dam forms a central part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), a multi-phase bi-national partnership between Lesotho and South Africa designed to enhance water security, hydroelectric capacity and regional development. The project is managed by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) and has been recognised as one of southern Africa’s most ambitious transboundary water cooperation efforts.
A delegation of over forty representatives, including Mokhotlong District Administrator Mr Kepa Keqe, Principal Chiefs and Members of Parliament, visited the construction site to mark the achievement. The delegation was accompanied by officials from the LHDA and an international supervision team. During the visit, the group observed the mechanised filling operations and the concrete works of the intake tower.
Mr Keqe described the milestone as a defining step in Lesotho’s national development, highlighting the project’s importance for the water and energy needs of both Lesotho and South Africa. He expressed optimism that the project’s timely completion would contribute to social and economic benefits across the region.
The Polihali Dam, when completed, will impound water from the Senqu River and channel it through a complex tunnel system to South Africa’s Vaal River system. The reservoir is expected to strengthen water supply resilience for Gauteng Province, one of the most industrialised regions on the continent, while supporting renewable hydropower generation within Lesotho.
Experts have noted that the project embodies the principles of regional partnership and shared benefit. It has also been viewed as a model of international cooperation underpinned by consultation and mutual contribution between African states and global development partners. POWERCHINA’s involvement continues a broader pattern of infrastructure collaboration across Africa, where Chinese firms play a major role in energy and water projects that align with African development priorities.
The Polihali milestone is not only an engineering achievement but also a reflection of the evolving dynamics of African agency in infrastructure development. It represents how African nations are increasingly steering the design and execution of projects that address local and regional needs while engaging with global partners on negotiated terms.
While the completion of the dam’s structural phase is a cause for optimism, environmental management and equitable water distribution remain essential considerations as the project advances. Analysts have underscored the importance of maintaining transparency, sustainability and community participation to ensure that such projects deliver long-term benefits to local populations.
The Polihali Dam is projected to enhance the livelihoods of communities across both Lesotho and South Africa through improved water availability, job creation and increased economic activity. Its progress underscores a broader African commitment to collaborative and inclusive resource management, setting a constructive precedent for regional development initiatives.
