The World Bank has approved an additional $300 million for Tanzania, seeking to boost the government’s efforts to expand water supply, sanitation and hygiene services.
The World Bank said in a statement that up to 10 million Tanzanians will gain access to improved water supply and nine million to better sanitation facilities through the new financing.
The new $300 million International Development Association (IDA) credit and a $4.9 million Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP) grant for the Sustainable Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (SRWSSP) will support the programme’s expansion from 86 district councils in 17 regions to 137 district councils in 25 regions.
It will enable up to 1,850 public primary schools and 2,600 healthcare facilities to be reached with improved sanitation and hygiene facilities.
The funding will also support a pilot of 206 water schemes that will be built under public-private arrangements.
Access to clean and safe water in rural areas is estimated to have improved from 70.1% in 2020 to 74.5% in 2022 while that of urban areas improved from 84% to 86.5%, according to government statistics.
The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programmes that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives.
In October, this year, the World Bank approved $200 million through IDA financing to help reduce the flood exposure of over 300,000 people in Dar es Salaam, including many low-income communities, while providing access to better infrastructure and services.
