Tanzania Sustains Gains in Water, Sanitation Project

The Tanzanian government urged development partners, local government authorities, and the private sector to build on the achievements of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Health (WS4H) program in Morogoro. Officials convened on July 15, 2026, with over 80 representatives to assess the program’s impact.

The WS4H program, implemented in the Dodoma, Arusha, and Simiyu regions, focused on strengthening institutions, data systems, planning, gender inclusivity, and climate resilience, rather than solely infrastructure. The program transitioned from donor support to national ownership by building the capacity of local authorities to manage water systems post-construction.

It prioritized professionalizing rural water supply, strengthening the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (Ruwasa), improving data systems, and incorporating climate resilience and social inclusion into service delivery. Government officials now aim to integrate these successes into national plans and budgets. Development partners are encouraged to adopt similar systemic strengthening approaches in future projects, including those funded by the World Bank and UNICEF, to ensure long-term access to water and sanitation services.