In Zanzibar, development projects supported by the Union Government, the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, and international partners are improving everyday life, particularly in South Unguja. One of the significant challenges facing households in parts of Zanzibar has been access to reliable water supply. Women and children have often carried the burden of fetching water while communities struggled to keep pace with population growth and expanding economic activity.
A major water project was commissioned in Kizimkazi, South Unguja, by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in August 2026. The investment represents one of the clearest examples of cooperation between the Union Government and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, translating into infrastructure intended to improve daily life. The new water source can produce up to 2.4 million liters daily, supported by a storage tank with a capacity of one million liters.
The Kizimkazi water project replaces an ageing 150,000-liter tank constructed in 1974, which had become inadequate for the area's growing population and economic activity. Water Minister Jumaa Aweso and Zanzibar Minister for Water, Energy and Minerals Nadir Abdul-Latif Al Wardy highlighted the project's potential to improve supply and support economic development.
The project also offers a potential economic dividend, as reliable water is essential not only for domestic consumption but also for hotels, small businesses, food services, and other activities that generate employment in a region increasingly associated with tourism. For women, improved household access could reduce the time and physical effort spent collecting water, allowing more time for childcare, education, and income-generating activities.
The wider water program provides another measure of progress, with several projects backed by the union government, including the 92.18 million US dollars Safe and Clean Water Distribution Project, funded by India's Export-Import Bank. The project covered 55 shehias and included 64 boreholes and 15 storage tanks. By March 2026, approximately 17,726 households had connected directly to clean and safe water.
Additional investment is being mobilized through development partners, such as a 25 million euros grant agreement with Germany's development bank, KfW, to expand safe water access across Unguja and Pemba. The five-year program includes water and wastewater infrastructure, with particular emphasis on Pemba, where four new water schemes were planned.
The development program in Kizimkazi extends beyond water, with investments in healthcare and education. President Samia inspected healthcare services and laid the foundation stone for a vocational secondary school during her August visit. The planned Kizimkazi vocational secondary school adds an educational dimension to the investment, which can help young people acquire practical skills relevant to employment, entrepreneurship, and the region's expanding tourism economy.
Key points
- The Kizimkazi water project produces up to 2.4 million liters of water daily.
- Approximately 17,726 households have connected directly to clean and safe water.
- Investments in Zanzibar aim to improve access to essential services, including water, healthcare, and education.
