Cahama: The Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, has revealed plans to transform Cahama, a municipality in Cunene province, into a thriving hub for agriculture and livestock following the completion of the Cova do Leão dam. The project, which began in 2022, currently stands at 25 percent completion, with work focused on the secadeiras phase, expected to conclude in 2024.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the minister emphasized the economic potential of Cahama and expressed optimism about the region’s growth prospects. The dam, once completed, will store significant amounts of water, benefiting the dry region by supplying water to Cahama’s headquarters, Otchinjau, and Oncócua, while supporting agricultural activities along its 14-square-kilometer reservoir.
Despite some delays due to changes in the dam’s initial location, Borges praised the satisfactory progress of the project. Key developments include work around the reservoir, channel diversion, and the launch of a 98-kilometer main pi
peline intended to serve the communities of Cahama and Curoca.
The dam is designed to hold 60 million cubic meters of water, which will be crucial during prolonged droughts, providing for the communities for three to four years. Paulo Matos, director of the construction company Engevia, mentioned that new equipment is awaited to enhance the construction dynamics, with the dam’s completion anticipated in November 2026. The structure will stand 17 meters high, four meters wide, and 700 meters long, with an estimated useful volume of 60 million cubic meters.