Empowering local voices in resettlement planning at Ngonye Falls Hydroelectric Project
The Resettlement Action Committee for the Ngonye Falls Hydroelectric Project
In western Zambia, the Ngonye Falls Hydroelectric Project illustrates how thorough resettlement planning and meaningful community participation can contribute to more inclusive and sustainable outcomes. Located near rural communities along the Zambezi River, this 180MW run-of-river project is navigating the complex challenges of physical and economic displacement with a focus on local needs, compensation fairness and long-term livelihood restoration, writes Alex Trembath.
Early engagement as a foundation
While this case study focuses on resettlement, it is built upon a foundation of ongoing dialogue and trust established early in the project’s development, as we highlighted in our previous case study on communications and consultation at Ngonye Falls.
The 180 MW project, first announced in 2011 and currently being built, is set to power over 200,000 homes across Zambia when it comes online in 2030.
The Ngonye Falls project has demonstrated good practice in stakeholder engagement through a structured consultation process and a Community Participation Agreement with the Barotse Royal Establishment, the region’s traditional authority. A dedicated community liaison team has maintained ongoing communication with affected people since 2011.
Initiatives like these helped Ngonye Falls to become the first project in Africa to be certified Gold under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.
A Community Participation Agreement with the Barotse Royal Establishment, the region’s traditional authority, was established for the development of the Ngonye Falls Hydroelectric Project
Minimising displacement through design
Good resettlement planning begins well before a project breaks ground on construction. For Ngonye Falls, efforts to reduce the number of households affected were incorporated into the early site planning, including adjustments to the location of the main hydropower infrastructure and the 110km transmission line.
But resettlement impacts cannot always be avoided entirely., A total of 419 households have been impacted by land acquisition and loss of assets at Ngonye Falls. Among these, 71 households face physical displacement from their homes, and eight more are affected by the transmission line.
Losses will include houses, crops, trees, and culturally significant sites such as ancestral graves. Recognising the importance of these impacts, project developers Western Power Company sought to minimise harm through an inclusive planning approach.
The 180MW Ngonye Falls project will power over 200,000 homes across Zambia when it comes online in 2030
Resettlement planning that puts people first
The project’s resettlement planning has been built on a clear and practical framework that meets both Zambian laws and international standards. This includes key documents like the Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF), and detailed Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) that cover everything from the hydropower plant itself to fisheries and cultural sites. There is also a separate ESIA and RAP for the transmission line, to be operated by ZESCO.
At its core, the main RAP spells out exactly how compensation will work, making sure affected households receive fair replacement for lost land, homes and other assets, plus extra support during the transition. Compensation can be in cash or kind, based on what works best for each household.
The plan also includes tailored programs to help restore livelihoods, covering farming, livestock, fishing, small businesses, and upgrades to water and sanitation.
The RAP was approved by Zambia’s Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) before any construction started, providing an important layer of oversight and accountability.
ESIA feedback meeting during the development of Ngonye Falls
Phased and structured implementation
The resettlement process at Ngonye Falls has been carefully phased, grouping households based on the type of impact they face to provide support that truly fits their needs. The developers set up a dedicated team to coordinate these efforts, with ongoing monitoring to track progress and quickly address any issues that arise.
Restoring livelihoods is treated as a major priority. Knowing that cash payments don’t always lead to lasting benefits, the project emphasises in-kind support and offers counselling to help families make thoughtful choices. Extra care is taken to support vulnerable groups, making sure no one is left behind or overlooked.
New homes, services and infrastructure are designed to meet and improve the quality that families had before, aiming for better living standards and a fresh start for everyone affected.
Community participation and grievance mechanisms
Participation of affected households has shaped the resettlement process at Ngonye Falls from the start. Since 2021, draft RAP and other key documents have been shared and discussed in community meetings, with materials made available in both English and Lozi to ensure everyone can engage fully.
A locally based community liaison team plays a hands-on role, staying in close contact with households, organising meetings and answering questions as they arise. Acting as a bridge between the project and the community, this team helps keep communication open and responsive at every stage.
An active grievance mechanism, in place since 2016, gives people a clear and trusted way to raise concerns and get answers, helping resolve issues before they grow.
Meetings with traditional leadership are part of community engagement for the development of the Ngonye Falls project
Benefit-sharing and long-term development
Ngonye Falls goes beyond individual compensation by building in long-term benefits for the wider community. Through a Community Participation Agreement with the Barotse Royal Establishment, the project includes equity participation held in trust for local people, giving them a direct stake in the project’s success.
This agreement provides guaranteed annual payments during operations, plus the potential for additional dividends. Over time, these funds are expected to total millions of dollars, supporting priorities such as healthcare, education, and climate resilience across the floodplain.
This approach demonstrates that large infrastructure projects like Ngonye Falls can deliver more than electricity – they can help drive regional economic and social development.
Transparency and adaptive management
Openness is central to how the Ngonye Falls project is managing resettlement. All key documents – like the ESIA, RPF, and RAP – are made publicly available, helping to build trust and ensure everyone can see how decisions are being made.
The project also includes a strong monitoring system, with both internal checks and independent oversight to track how well resettlement and livelihood support are working. Lessons from the project’s Hydropower Sustainability Standard assessment are already helping the team sharpen their approach, with clearer indicators and measurable targets to guide ongoing improvements.
A practical path forward for fair resettlement
Ngonye Falls may still be in development, but its approach to resettlement is already showing what thoughtful, inclusive planning can look like. From early community engagement to careful impact assessments and support for long-term livelihoods, the project puts people at the centre of its design.
Reflecting on the progress so far, the Western Power Company RAP Team said: “Our experience on the Ngonye Falls project has offered many lessons. Resettlement isn’t just a technical process — it’s about people’s livelihoods.
“Through open and honest conversations during our stakeholder meetings, we found common ground and worked toward outcomes that truly reflect the needs of our communities. We could not have done this without the support of the Barotse Royal Establishment and the local community leadership.“
As Zambia continues to grow its hydropower capacity, Ngonye Falls offers a useful example of how infrastructure can move forward without leaving communities behind, helping to ensure the energy transition is both sustainable and fair.
Take the next step in resettlement planning
If you want to deepen your understanding of how to manage resettlement fairly and sustainably in hydropower development, our online course on resettlement in hydropower offers practical guidance, including various other examples of best practice and common challenges.
The self-paced programme covers the full resettlement process, from early community engagement and impact assessment to compensation frameworks and livelihood restoration, helping you align projects with international standards and achieve positive social outcomes.
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