The Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation has secured significant support for Zambia’s water sector following successful bilateral Development Cooperation negotiations between the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the Federal Republic of Germany held in Berlin, Germany, for the period 2027–2028.
The Ministry delegation, led by Permanent Secretary Eng. Romas Kamanga and accompanied by Director of Water Supply and Sanitation Eng. Richard M. Kangwa and Acting Chief Planner for Monitoring and Evaluation Mr. Richard Musheba, joined the Zambian Government delegation headed by Mr. Mulele Mulele, Permanent Secretary for Economic Management and Finance at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, representing the Secretary to the Treasury.
The negotiations focused on three key areas of cooperation namely Good Governance, Food and Nutrition Security and Agriculture, and Water.
Following extensive engagements, the two Governments agreed on a total financing package of €81.5 million, of which the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation secured €36 million towards strategic interventions aimed at improving water supply, sanitation services, and water security across Zambia.
Among the major commitments secured is €20 million for the Nexus Energy Water Programme for Zambia (NEWZA II), which will extend ongoing interventions to Commercial Utilities in the Copperbelt and North-Western Provinces along the Lobito Corridor. The programme will focus on climate-resilient urban water supply systems through reduction of non-revenue water, improved digitisation, renewable energy integration, energy efficiency, and increased access to water supply services in low-income peri-urban and rural communities, particularly for vulnerable groups, women, and girls.
The Ministry will also benefit from continued support under the National Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme Phase II, as well as the ongoing Lusaka Sanitation Programme aimed at improving wastewater treatment infrastructure in the capital city.
Additional support has been earmarked for technical cooperation projects under NEWZA 2.0, expansion of skills development and youth training programmes under THRIVE II, and a new water security initiative targeting the Upper Kafue sub-catchment to strengthen integrated water resources management and river health.
On the sidelines of the negotiations, a Business Forum was held on 5th May 2026 in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Germany and several German business institutions to promote Zambia as a preferred investment destination.
Speaking during the forum, Mr. Mulele Mulele highlighted Zambia’s favourable business environment, policy consistency, fiscal discipline, and improved macroeconomic conditions as key drivers for investment growth.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany, Mrs. Winnie Natala Chibesakunda, called for enhanced partnerships between Zambia and Germany, stating that the strengths of the two nations have the potential to drive transformative investment and sustainable development.
Meanwhile, Zambia Development Agency Director General Mr. Albert Halwampa encouraged investors to take advantage of Zambia’s peace, stable policies, strategic location, and private sector-led economic reforms.
Representatives from German companies already operating in Zambia also praised the country’s conducive investment climate, with Bayer and LevelBuild Zambia citing Zambia’s stability, skilled workforce, and growth potential as key reasons for continued investment.
The Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation remains committed to strengthening international partnerships and mobilising resources towards achieving universal access to safe water supply, improved sanitation, and sustainable water resource management for all Zambians.
By: Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation-PR Unit
