81311009-Advisory services to Water and Wastewater Utilities and to the Water Sector Regulator

GIZ has been commissioned to implement the project "Strengthening Institutions for Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation in Zambia (SIWaS)" on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The EU Action "Nexus Energy and Water Program for Zambia (NEWZA)" is part of the Joint European Strategy for Zambia and is flag shipped under the Global Gateway strategy. NEWZA"s objective is a decisive improvement of the energy-water supply situation in Zambia by increasing the operational and financial performance of five water utilities and strengthening the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation and the regulator, the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council. The project"s 5 target utilities are Southern, Eastern, Nkana, Chambeshi, and Lukanga Water Supply and Sanitation Company. NEWZA is jointly co-financed by the European Union, the BMZ and UNICEF, and is implemented by KfW, UNICEF, and GIZ. The GIZ SIWaS Project is contributing to the NEWZA"s Output 4 which has the specific objective of enhancing organizational, networking and financial capacities of water utilities and national institutions to ensure urban, peri-urban and rural water and sanitation services are supplied in a cost-effective and cost-coverage principles, transparent, and inclusive manner. (CU and National level Capacity Building, Knowledge Exchange and Operational Efficiency) The updating of the regulatory procedures in line with sector policy requirements (Output 2) and by introducing clean energy alternatives, audits for energy saving, long-term financial planning, reducing commercial water losses, and improving the operational and financial performance of the 5 utilities, the project addresses climate-induced and supply-related challenges as well as technical capacity deficiencies (Outputs 3 and 4). In addition, support for the development and implementation of business plans to include analysis, cost projections, capital investment programming (to be provided in Output 3), and having a strategy in place for ring-fencing surpluses of the utility income for investments at the national level (output 2) will support closing the growing investment gap and loan repayment. Furthermore, this will contribute to the sector's progress towards achieving the policy objective of self-financing and sustainable operation and maintenance. By implementing these measures, the utilities will move towards financial self-sufficiency and improved performance. Furthermore, the measures will boost and contribute to increased access to green energy and water supply for all. This ultimately contributes to the sustainable provision of water supply for all (Impact) The project serves as a hub for the exchange of information amongst the 11 utilities in Zambia through the Water Utility Platform and will particularly support the 5 utilities in strengthening their operational, technical and financial capacities in close collaboration and engagement with the national water regulator, the Ministry of Water, and the Local Authorities. GIZ intends to contract out services related to Output 2 at the national level and Output 3 and 4 at the district level.