ORASECOM is a river basin organization established in 2000 by the Governments of South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, and Botswana to manage transboundary water resources of the Orange-Senqu River basin and promote its beneficial development for socio-economic wellbeing and safeguarding the basin environment. ORASECOM was appointed Executing Agency for the pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for the Lesotho Botswana Water Transfer through a Memorandum of Agreement signed by South Africa, Botswana, and Lesotho in 2017, in the presence of Namibia, as an Observer.
ORASECOM has received financing from the African Development Bank toward the cost of preparation of the Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer (L-BWT) and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this grant to payments under the contract for consultancy services for the technical feasibility study for the Lesotho to Botswana water transfer conveyance system.
Overview of the water transfer system
The LBWT conveyance system is fully piped and will transport raw water from a weir located downstream of a dam on the Makhaleng river in Lesotho, to a proposed outfall upstream of Nnywane dam in Botswana over 688 km. Several major road, rail, and watercourse crossings were identified which will require special design considerations. There are nine off-takes proposed to augment towns identified along the conveyance route in addition to the augmentation to Botswana.
Geotechnical investigations
Founding conditions in the areas where the route traverses dolomites from Lichtenberg to the South African border with Botswana, and in areas that have been undermined in the Free State Goldfields, require consideration because of the risk of subsidence and seismicity associated with underground mining.
Pumping requirements
Elevations vary from el. 1850 to 1125. Steel pipes with diameters ranging from 2200 mm to 1100 mm will deliver design flows ranging from 8731 l/s to 2735 l/s, resulting in pipe velocities between 1.3 m/s and 2.9 m/s. The total dynamic head requirement at the discharge in Botswana requires a combination of high lift pump stations, booster pump stations, and break-pressure tanks.
Hydropower potential
At Chainage 660.7 km, a 65 m residual head could generate up to 3.2 MW at peak flow, and at Chainage 688.5 km, a residual head of 118 m could generate 5.9 MW.
Pumped storage potential
The high ground west of the dam site could be used to construct an upper storage dam at an elevation of 2000 m. The full supply level at the dam site is 1637 m. This could provide a static head in the order of 400 m. The distance between the two dams is 7 km. The additional water could be transferred from the Upper dam via a tunnel to near Matelile, from where it can gravitate via a pipeline to the conveyance route.
Purpose of the Request For Information (RFI)
ORASECOM seeks qualified firms and professionals to form a consortium with ORASECOM, capable of delivering a comprehensive feasibility study for the L-BWT project. The consortium must cover at least one required discipline listed below and comply with African Development Bank (Afdb) procurement rules.
Scope overview
- 688 km fully piped conveyance system (Makhaleng river, Lesotho, to Nnywane dam, Botswana).
- Pipe diameters: 2200 mm to 1100 mm; flows: 2.7 to 8.7m³/s.
- Major components: high-lift and booster pump stations, break-pressure tanks, nine off-takes, multiple crossings.
- Geotechnical risks: Dolomite zones, undermined Free State Goldfields, seismic risk.
- Energy recovery: Hydropower potential (3.2 MW & 5.9 MW sites) and pumped storage (~400 m head).
- Environmental and social compliance: IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, AfDB safeguards.
Requested information
The following should be provided:
- Company profile: Legal name, registration country, year established, regional presence, contact person.
- Domain expertise: Indicate which of the following you can lead or support: Hydraulic & Civil Engineering; Geotechnical; Hydropower & Pumped Storage; ESIA; GIS & Route Alignment; Program/project management; Permitting.
- Relevant experience: 3 to 5 recent projects (2019–2026) per domain with details.
- Key personnel : Names, titles, qualifications, years of experience.
- Compliance and certifications: IFC/Equator experience, ISO certifications, BBBEE status.
- Capacity and Resources: Mobilization readiness, in-country survey capability, digital tools.
- Preferred role in consortium: Lead, domain lead, or support; willingness to sign Teaming Agreement.
AfDB compliance checklist
- Eligibility criteria met (as per AfDB Rules of Procedure).
- No conflict of interest declared.
- Adherence to AfDB procurement guidelines.
- Availability of qualified and experienced staff.
- Submission of all required documentation (Company Profile, CVs, References).
- Financial capacity confirmed to undertake the assignment.
Please respond before 28 January 2026 as the deadline to submit EOI in conducting this Feasibility Studies is 30 January 2026. For more information, contact: Makibinyane Thoso, mthoso878@gmail.com
