The Government of Zambia has launched an implementation roadmap and a consolidated resource mobilisation strategy to raise US$ 3.4 billion per year by 2030 to realise its National Adaptation Plan and Zambia Water Investment Programme, in alignment with the African Union’s Water Investment Action Plan.
“The roadmap provides a clear path for mobilising resources necessary to achieve water security and climate adaptation, resulting in better access to water and sanitation, enhanced ecosystem protection, and increased private sector involvement among others,” said Hon. Collins Nzovu, Minister of Water Development And Sanitation at the launch event in Lusaka, Zambia (pictured left).
“Under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Dr. Hakainde Hichilema, the government has prioritised water as a critical pillar for sustainable development,” added Hon. Nzovu.
The Consolidated Resource Mobilisation Strategy identifies domestic resources as key to leveraging foreign resources including climate funds. The latter are targeted to contribute as much as 65%, or US$2.2 billion, of the total annual resource requirement. Domestic sources, which inlude fiscal funds, dedicated taxes, and national and transitional private entities are expected to contribute around 18%, or US$0.62 billion, of the annual resource requirement. Other foreign sources, which include bilateral, multilateral, and philanthropic funds, make up 17%, or US$0.58 billion, of the total.
National Resource Mobilisation Platform Proposed
The Ministry of Water Development And Sanitation has further proposed to establish a national resource mobilisation platform that would link project proposals to funders and investors. The platform would serve a coordination and collaboration function.
“Coordination will ensure that proposals are developed and matched to feasible funders; collaboration will ensure that proposals are developed and marketed jointly as necessary,” said Hon. Nzovu.
Zambia has also taken steps to improve the investment environment with its new National Water Policy that proposes legal and institutional reforms to enhance efficiency and accountability in the water sector.
Alignment to African Union’s Water Investment Action Plan
Zambia’s Resource Mobilization Strategy aligns with the AU’s Water Investment Action Plan which outlines how African states can mobilise the additional US$30 billion per year they need to ensure water security and sustainable sanitation on the continent. The Plan supports the implementation of the AU’s Continental Africa Water Investment Plan (AIP), which aims to close the water investment gap in Africa.
“The government’s foresight in integrating the NAP and ZIP resource mobilisation strategies underscores a progressive approach to addressing climate challenges,” said Eng. Kelvin Chitumbo (pictured left), Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) Board Member and Director of National Water and Sanitation Council, on behalf of Mr. Alex Simalabwi, CEO of the AIP and Executive Secretary of GWPSA. GWPSA supported the development of Zambia’s strategy in its capacity as host of the AIP Technical Support Unit.
“GWPSA is proud to have supported the Zambian government in developing both the National Adaptation Plan and the Zambia Water Investment Programme, contributing technical expertise to the formulation of this consolidated Resource Mobilisation Strategy and roadmap,” said Eng. Kelvin Chitumbo.
Support from the Green Climate Fund and AIP Partners
Zambia is one of 20+ countries that will receive direct and tailored support through the AIP to scale up access to finance for climate-resilient gender-sensitive water investments by 2030. The support initiative was announced by the African Union Commission and the AIP’s International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa on the sidelines of World Water Week in Stockholm on 27 August 2024.
“Counties will receive support across a range of priority areas aimed at leveraging further climate financing,” said Mr. Harsen Nyambe, Director of Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission (AUC).
“These include development of project concept notes, and pipelines as part of the national climate resilient water investment programs and plans. The program also entails strengthening institutional capacity to access climate finance and implementation of gender transformative approaches in water investments, establishing match-making knowledge investment platforms to bridge supply of finance and demand for bankable projects, identifying and supporting participating Member countries’ institutions for Green Climate Fund accreditation.”
Download the Zambia NAP and Water Investment Strategy Consolidated Resource Mobilisation Strategy.
Download the Zambia NAP and Water Investment Strategy Resource Mobilisation Strategy Policy Brief.