LUSAKA, April 28, 2025 — A new World Bank grant has been approved to enhance Zambia's water supply and sanitation services, focusing on improving governance, operational efficiency, and expanding access to water and sanitation services.
The Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Growth Centers Program, financed by a $33 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) will focus on selected water supply and sanitation commercial utilities including Kafubu, Luapula, North-western, and Western. It will be implemented by the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation (MWDS) in collaboration with various commercial utilities in Zambia, and the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO, the regulator).
“By prioritizing governance reforms, operational efficiency, and climate resilience, this program will contribute to fostering sustainable development and enhance health outcomes for the Zambians,” said Achim Fock, World Bank Country Manager for Zambia.
The program represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the critical challenges in the water and sanitation sector. This includes sector governance reforms to enhance accountability and transparency, improve budget allocation, and board practices. The program will also improve services delivery by upgrading billing systems, reducing physical and commercial water losses, and expanding water and sanitation services, including household connections and latrines.
“The program will promote gender equality by encouraging women's employment and representation in leadership positions within the water sector. It will also strengthen climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, making water and sanitation services more resilient to climate impacts,” said Ousmane Yida Yaya-Bocoum, World Bank Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist and Task Team Leader.
The Zambia Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Growth Centers Program will address governance issues related to budget allocation and board practices, enhance utilities' creditworthiness by reducing commercial and physical losses, increase operational cost coverage through revenue, and expand services to growth centers and rural areas. This will directly benefit communities by reducing waterborne diseases and improving overall health outcomes.
*The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 74 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change to the 1.3 billion people who live in IDA countries. Since 1960, IDA has provided $496 billion to 114 countries. Annual commitments have increased steadily and averaged about $34.7 billion over the last three years (FY20-FY22), with about 70 percent going to Africa. Learn more online: IDA.worldbank.org. #IDAworks
