GIZ: Strengthening water governance and wastewater management in Tanzania (Part I)

How can we move from fragmented water management to coordinated, effective action across stakeholders ? This the heart of our work in Tanzania, carried out in collaboration with GIZ Tanzania, Alliance for Water Stewardship and regional partners. The initiative is part of the Green and Smart Cities SASA Programme, co-financed by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union, and aims to strengthen collaboration between public and private actors around water stewardship.

In Tanzania, water challenges are intensifying. Climate change is reshaping water availability, while growing demand and increasing wastewater discharge are placing additional pressure on already strained systems. For businesses and communities alike, water risks are no longer theoretical. Addressing them requires more than isolated efforts; it calls for coordinated governance and collective action.

Our work began in Dar es Salaam with a public sector training on water stewardship, designed by the Alliance for Water Stewardship and tailored to the Tanzanian context. By engaging regulators, utilities, and local authorities from the outset, we help create the enabling environment needed for meaningful collaboration. Building this common foundation is essential to align stakeholders around shared challenges and opportunities.

The initiative then expanded to the cities of Tanga and Mwanza, where we facilitated workshops bringing together public and private sector actors. These sessions created space for open dialogue, helping stakeholders better understand water risks, improve compliance, and identify pathways for collaboration. While local contexts differ (water quality challenges in the Lake Victoria basin in Mwanza, and water availability concerns in Tanga), the need for stronger coordination and shared action is universal.

Beyond dialogue, the ambition of this project is concrete: to co-develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) that will support companies in better managing their wastewater. These practical tools aim to translate water stewardship principles into actionable guidance, enabling businesses to reduce their impacts, comply with regulations, and contribute to improved water security at the local level.

This work also builds on existing local initiatives led by long-standing partners, highlighting that sustainable change is rooted in local engagement. By connecting these efforts with institutional frameworks and private sector practices, we contribute to building more resilient and inclusive water governance systems.

Water challenges cannot be addressed in silos. They require transparent dialogue, shared responsibility, and practical tools for action. Through this collaboration, we are helping lay the foundations for stronger governance, more resilient cities, and a more sustainable management of water resources in Tanzania.

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