by Kizito Sikuka in Gaborone, Botswana
Availability of adequate water and energy supplies is critical in advancing regional development and integration in southern Africa.
This is the key message of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministerial Workshop on Water and Energy that opened on 20 June in Gaborone.
SADC Chairperson, President Seretse Khama Ian Khama of Botswana said limited access to water and energy has the capacity to render the integration agenda of SADC meaningless, hence the region should collectively work together in addressing challenges facing the two sectors.
According to the SADC Secretariat, access to electricity in the region is estimated at less than 40 percent in most member states, while 60 percent have access to safe drinking water.