Tanzania has completed the Butimba water treatment project, a US $177M flagship water and sanitation initiative aimed at improving access to clean water and hygiene in Mwanza, the country’s second-largest urban area.
The Lake Victoria project, which was initiated in 2004, was jointly financed by the French Development Agency (AFD), EIB Global the development arm of the European Investment Bank, the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund, and the Tanzanian government.
The AFD contributed a US $88M loan, while EIB Global committed US $53M and an additional US $4.7M for technical assistance. A US $11.6M grant was provided by the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund, and the government of Tanzania contributed US $18M.
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Butimba water treatment project
The plant will deliver 44,000 cubic meters of safe water daily, directly benefiting approximately 450,000 people. Complementary sanitation infrastructure including a network of innovative sewage systems designed to suit Mwanza’s challenging terrain will enhance hygiene services for over 150,000 residents.
Edward Claessen, head of EIB’s East Africa regional hub, emphasized the project’s importance in advancing public health and living standards in the Lake Victoria region. “Clean water is essential for life, and this investment will transform health outcomes for communities around the lake,” he noted.
Celine Robert, AFD’s country director for Tanzania, hailed the project as a milestone in improving water service delivery, while French Ambassador Anne Sophie underlined its broader societal impact. “Investing in people, especially children, is investing in our shared future,” she stated.
EIB Global, established in 2022, supports strategic international development through climate action, innovation, and partnerships, and is recognized as one of the world’s leading financiers of water projects.
