27 years without Mwalimu Nyerere: Water sector advances His vision for national development

...as we commemorate the late Mwalimu Nyerere, the Water Sector continues to play a critical role in improving the lives of Tanzanians and contributing to the country’s social and economic development...

Water is life. Water is health. Water is development.

BY DIRAMAKINI

ITS 27th years without the father of the nation. Today, as we commemorate the life and contribution of the Father of the Nation, the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the first President of the United Republic of Tanzania, we also reflect on the principles he championed in building a nation founded on development, dignity, equality and improved livelihoods for all citizens.

Among the major challenges that Mwalimu Nyerere committed himself to address were Ignorance, Poverty and Disease. In advancing this vision, the Water Sector continues to play a critical role in improving the lives of Tanzanians and contributing to the country’s social and economic development.

Access to clean and safe water reduces the amount of time citizens spend searching for water, particularly women and children. Reliable water services also create more time for people to engage in productive and economic activities.

In schools, access to water contributes to a healthier and more conducive learning environment. It promotes hygiene and sanitation, enables students to spend more time studying, and contributes to improved educational outcomes.

Furthermore, access to clean and safe water helps reduce diseases associated with the use of unsafe water. This, in turn, reduces the financial burden on individuals, families and the Government that would otherwise be incurred in treating preventable water related diseases.

Water is also a critical driver of economic activity. It supports agriculture, livestock keeping, industries, businesses and other economic activities.

It contributes to improved production, enhances the quality of various products, and increases the income of individuals as well as the nation as a whole. Water is, therefore, an engine of the economy.

INCREASED ACCESS TO WATER SERVICES

The Water Sector has continued to record progress in several important areas, including increased access to clean and safe water services in both rural and urban areas.

These achievements are a result of the Government’s continued efforts to expand water infrastructure and extend reliable services to more citizens.

Currently, access to water services in rural areas has increased from 83.0 percent in 2024 to 85.2 percent in 2025, while in urban areas, access has increased from 91.6 percent to 92.5 percent over the same period.

In addition, a total of 10,758 villages out of 12,333 have been reached with reliable water services.

The Government continues to implement water projects in the remaining 1,575 villages, with the aim of accelerating access to water services and ensuring that more citizens benefit.

To ensure that water projects in both urban and rural areas are implemented on time and deliver the intended benefits to citizens, the Government has increased the Water Sector budget from Tanzania Shillings 898,276,453,000 to TZS 1,120,194,614,000.

The increased budget will facilitate the implementation of 1,188 small projects and two major projects. The funds will also strengthen the management, conservation and development of water resources, as well as water quality management.

EXTENDING WATER SERVICES TO RURAL COMMUNITIES

The Government has commenced the implementation of water projects in 340 villages out of the 1,575 villages that previously lacked water services.

Furthermore, during the 2026/27 financial year, the Government has commenced implementation of water projects in 400 of the 1,575 villages that remain without adequate water services.

Pictured, a session of a major 28 Towns Water Roject.

This initiative is intended to accelerate the provision of clean and safe water, particularly in areas that have not yet been fully reached by water services.

A total of 1,440,256 citizens are expected to benefit from water services through projects implemented in these 400 villages.

STRATEGIC PROJECTS TO STRENGTHEN WATER SECURITY

The Government has commenced and continues to implement strategic water projects aimed at increasing water production and availability, strengthening water security and reducing dependence on unreliable water sources.

Among these strategic projects are: Kidunda Dam, the construction of Kidunda Dam is one of the major strategic water projects, with an estimated value of TZS 329.47 billion, as of September 2026, implementation of the project had reached 65.7 percent.

Farkwa Dam, the construction of Farkwa Dam is aimed at increasing the availability and reliability of water services in Dodoma City and surrounding areas.

The project is valued at approximately TZS 312 billion, and the dam is expected to have a storage capacity of more than 400 billion litres of water.

Rufiji – Dar es Salaam and Coast Water Project, the Ministry of Water has completed the feasibility study for a project to abstract water from the Rufiji River and convey it to Dar es Salaam City and areas of the Coast Region.

The project is intended to meet increasing water demand resulting from population growth, expanding economic activities and the expansion of residential areas.

The next stage involves detailed engineering design, which will determine the project cost and the infrastructure to be constructed.

THE NATIONAL WATER GRID

The Government is advancing the long-term strategic plan for the establishment of a National Water Grid, which aims to connect major water sources across the country through a network of bulk water transmission infrastructure.

The plan will link major water sources in Tanzania, including; Lake Victoria; Lake Tanganyika; Lake Nyasa; Rufiji River; Ruvu River; Pangani River; Wami River; Kagera River; Malagarasi River; Great Ruaha River; and major strategic dams, including Julius Nyerere Dam, Kidunda Dam and Farkwa Dam, as well as other dams to be constructed in different parts of the country.

Currently, preparations and design activities are underway for projects involving:

Conveying water from Lake Victoria to Dodoma through Singida; Conveying water from Lake Tanganyika to Kigoma, Katavi and Rukwa; Conveying water from Lake Nyasa to areas of Ruvuma, Mtwara and Njombe; Conveying water from the Rufiji River to Dar es Salaam and the Coast Region; and other projects aimed at connecting major water sources with areas experiencing high water demand.

STRENGTHENING WATER SERVICES IN LINDI, RUANGWA AND NACHINGWEA

The Government has continued to increase investment in rural areas with the aim of increasing the number of citizens who have access to reliable water services.

One of the projects being implemented is the Nyangao Water Project, which will convey water from the Nyangao River in Lindi District to Lindi, Ruangwa and Nachingwea Districts at a cost of TZS 119.56 billion.

The project is being implemented in two phases.

The first phase involves supplying water to 29 villages across the three districts: 25 villages in Ruangwa, three villages in Nachingwea and one village in Lindi District. As of September 2026, implementation of the project had reached 77 percent.

The second phase will commence after completion of the first phase and will cover a total of 27 villages, comprising nine villages in Ruangwa District and 18 villages in Nachingwea District.

THE ROAD AHEAD

Tanzania can say that the journey from where we started has been long, but the destination of ensuring reliable water services for every citizen is becoming closer.

The Government remains committed to ensuring that all 1,575 villages currently without adequate water services are reached. During the 2026/27 financial year, 400 of these villages will receive water services.

The Government will also continue implementing the National Water Grid, connecting reliable water sources with areas experiencing high demand.

At the same time, efforts will continue to increase the participation of the private sector and development partners in investment in the Water Sector.

The Government will also work towards completing the National Water Master Plan, which will serve as an important framework for the long-term planning and sustainable development of the country’s water resources.

Despite the progress made, the Government remains committed to accelerating the implementation of water projects, strengthening the management and sustainable use of water resources, and investing in innovation, science and technology.

The ultimate objective is to ensure that every citizen has access to clean, safe, reliable, quality and sustainable water services.

This is part of the broader national commitment to improving the lives of citizens and promoting social and economic development, while advancing the principles of self-reliance and national development championed by the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.