Tanzania has unveiled a TShs 1.12 trillion (approximately US$431 million) water sector budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, signaling a major push to strengthen water security, climate resilience, and infrastructure development nationwide.
Presenting the budget before Parliament in Dodoma, Water Minister Jumaa Aweso said the government would prioritise the management and development of water resources to support social, economic, and environmental needs. A central focus of the programme is the completion of the National Water Master Plan alongside continued implementation of the National Water Grid Project, which aims to transfer water from lakes and rivers to drought-prone and underserved regions across the country.
Climate adaptation measures also feature prominently in the spending plan. The Ministry intends to rehabilitate or complete 33 existing dams, construct 34 new dams, and undertake environmental assessments for two additional sites. Authorities are also promoting rooftop rainwater harvesting and the development of multi-purpose reservoirs to improve long-term water storage capacity.
“We do not need every sector to build its own dam. Instead, let us build multi-purpose dams,” Aweso told lawmakers, adding that rainwater harvesting through rooftops and reservoirs would form part of a broader conservation strategy.
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Clean water initiatives
On service delivery, the Ministry plans to complete 992 rural water projects, 196 urban water schemes, and 26 sanitation projects during the fiscal year. New clean water initiatives are also scheduled for 314 villages among the 1,575 villages that still lack reliable access to safe water supplies. Schools and healthcare facilities are expected to receive dedicated support under an inter-agency coordination programme designed to ensure continuous water availability at key public institutions.
The government is also intensifying efforts to reduce water losses through digital monitoring and smart infrastructure. Planned measures include expanded deployment of electronic and prepaid water meters, introduction of smart management systems, and stricter enforcement against vandalism and illegal water connections.
According to the Ministry, 23,156 smart meters had been installed in both rural and urban areas by April 2026, up from 13,526 units recorded in 2025. Authorities are targeting the installation of more than 1.1 million meters for urban customers by 2030.
“Smart meters is the solution. There will be no water disconnections on weekends or public holidays, and the customer will be notified in advance before service is cut,” Aweso said.
Financing the sector remains another major pillar of the strategy. The Ministry is preparing a dedicated Water Sector Bond aimed at attracting domestic and international investors as part of the country’s broader Vision 2050 agenda, which targets 70% private-sector participation in water investments.
The revised National Water Policy (2025 edition) has also been updated to encourage greater involvement from private investors, development partners, and non-governmental organisations. That policy direction was reinforced during a recent public-private partnership conference in Dar es Salaam, where Deputy Water Minister Kundo Mathew urged investors to support the country’s expanding water infrastructure ambitions. Government officials said public-private partnerships would play a key role in mobilising financing, introducing modern technologies, improving operational efficiency, and accelerating delivery of water services as Tanzania advances its Vision 2050 development agenda.
