13/07/2026
Floating Buoys Installed on Lake Kariba
Installation of floating buoys along the Zambia Zimbabwe boundary on Lake Kariba commenced on 12 July 2026, marking a significant step towards greater clarity and safety for communities living and working on the lake.
The Zambia Zimbabwe boundary is riverine, running approximately 770km along the median line of the Zambezi River from Kazungula to Luangwa on the Zambian side and Kazungula to Kanyemba on the Zimbabwean side. This stretch of the river has never carried physical markers on the water. This gap has, over the years, contributed to accidental crossings, disputes and safety concerns for fishermen and boat operators from both countries.
The buoys, being placed at roughly one kilometre intervals, will initially cover the stretch from the Kariba dam wall to the Sampa Karuma group of islands, approximately 10km of coverage. The Surveyors General of Zambia and Zimbabwe are overseeing the works, in partnership with an identified contractor.
Importantly, what will not change: fishing rights, island ownership by each country and immigration laws remain exactly as they are. The buoys simply give lake users a clear, visible reference point, helping them know where they are and avoid straying across the boundary unknowingly.
This initiative is complemented by Standard Operating Procedures developed jointly by Zambia and Zimbabwe, setting out a fair and consistent process for handling accidental or illegal crossings, further strengthening trust and cooperation between the two countries.
