AfDB grants Zambia $13.2 million for water, sanitation projects

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has provided Zambia with a US$13.2 million grant to fund the “Improving Access and Strengthening Innovations for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene” (WASH) project in Kabwe Town and Lusaka’s Bauleni Township.

Water Development and Sanitation Minister, Collins Nzovu, confirmed the funding in a statement on Friday, highlighting the project’s aim to enhance access to water and sanitation services for underserved communities.

The initiative includes three core components: Climate-Resilient Water Supply Infrastructure Development, Sanitation and Hygiene Services Improvement, and Institutional Strengthening, Capacity Building, and Project Management.

In Kabwe, the project will focus on rehabilitating the Mulungushi Water Treatment Plant and increasing groundwater production by developing five new boreholes at Kalulu and Mukobeko wellfields.

Additional plans include improving the transmission and distribution system and constructing new network extensions to serve peri-urban and informal settlements.

In Bauleni Township, Lusaka, 160,000 residents are expected to gain improved water access through the construction of new infrastructure and reinforcement of the township’s transmission and distribution systems.

“The proposed interventions will focus on improving the quality of life for underserved and unserved communities by meeting the increasing demand for water and sanitation services due to population and economic growth,” Nzovu stated.

The WASH component will introduce climate-resilient, gender-sensitive, and disability-friendly sanitation facilities at selected schools and health centers in Kabwe and Bauleni, benefiting over 460,000 people.

The facilities will address menstrual hygiene challenges, particularly benefiting women and girls.

The project, expected to create 465 jobs during its four-year construction phase, will also strengthen the technical and financial sustainability of Lukanga and Lusaka Water and Sanitation companies.

“This investment demonstrates the confidence cooperating partners have in President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership and the UPND Government’s prudent use of public resources since taking office in 2021,” Nzovu said.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to efficiently executing the project to ensure it achieved its intended outcomes for Zambia.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.