The World Bank has approved US$33 million in financing through the International Development Association (IDA) for the Zambia Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Growth Centres Program.
Speaking during the launch of the program, Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Eng. Collins Nzovu, says the support comprises US$27 million under the Program-for-Results and US$6 million for Investment Project Financing, dedicated to capacity building and technical support.
Engineer Nzovu says this component will strengthen governance, accountability, and financial transparency within commercial utilities, and support the development of a robust policy, institutional, and regulatory framework to enhance sector performance and ensure improved service delivery.
He adds that the component will also incentivize commercial utilities to adopt modern systems and technologies, including advanced metering, to reduce water losses, improve energy efficiency, and enhance climate resilience.
World Bank Country Manager for Zambia, Achim Fock, says the program is targeting four commercial water and sanitation utilities serving some of Zambia’s fastest-growing but most underserved areas: Kafubu Water and Sanitation Company, Luapula Water Supply and Sanitation Company, North-Western Water Supply and Sanitation Company, and Western Water and Sanitation Company.
Mr. Fock says these utilities face non-revenue water losses ranging between 46% and 62%—nearly double the international benchmark—in a context where tariffs have not changed since 2019, while the cost of production is about twice the average tariff charged.
According to the World Bank, the US$33 million Zambia Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Growth Centres Program is built on a simple but powerful principle: results matter more than inputs, emphasizing that money flows when changes and results are achieved and verified—not when plans are written, but when people receive services.
By Best Jere
