Government with support from the World Bank has officially launched the Zambia Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Growth Centres (ZWSSGC) Programme for Results, a US$33 million initiative aimed at improving access to safe and sustainable water and sanitation services across the country.
Speaking during the launch, Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Collins Nzovu, disclosed that the programme marks a significant step in government’s commitment to enhancing service delivery and improving the quality of life for citizens, particularly in underserved areas.
Mr Nzovu expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its continued support, highlighting that the financing includes US$27 million under the Programme for Results framework and an additional US$6 million for capacity building and technical assistance.
The Minister noted that access to clean water and sanitation remains a major challenge in Zambia, with only about 62 percent of the population having access to basic water supply, while sanitation coverage stands at approximately 37 percent.
He said the situation continues to expose communities to waterborne diseases and negatively affects economic productivity, especially among vulnerable groups such as women and children.
“The programme introduces a results based approach to service delivery, shifting focus from inputs to outcomes, with emphasis on efficiency, accountability and sustainability,” he said.
Mr Nzovu outlined two key pillars of the initiative, including sector governance reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability within commercial utilities, and service performance improvement to enhance operational efficiency.
The Minister said the initiative is expected to directly benefit over 99,000 people in areas served by Kafubu, Luapula, North-Western and Western water utility companies, with an estimated 1.7 million people set to benefit indirectly through improved sector performance.
Meanwhile, World Bank Country Manager Achim Fock called for urgent governance and financing reforms in Zambia’s water sector, describing them as critical to unlocking improved service delivery and economic growth.
Dr Fock said the initiative represents a major step towards addressing persistent water and sanitation challenges affecting communities across the country.
He said the programme is already delivering early results since becoming effective in September 2025, including the establishment of implementation units, approval of work plans, appointment of new utility boards, and ongoing development of performance improvement action plans.
Dr Fock further linked the initiative to the government’s broader Zambia Water Investment Programme (ZIP), a US$5.75 billion framework aligned with national WASH Compact commitments for 2026–2030.
“However, a financing gap of US$1.27 billion remains. The gap cannot be closed by donor financing alone,” he added.
He also called for stronger coordination among cooperating partners and increased private sector participation to move away from fragmented project implementation
