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President Hakainde Hichilema has officially commissioned the Kazungula Water Supply and Basic Sanitation Project in Southern Province, valued at €12 million.
The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 13,000 residents.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony in Kazungula District on Monday, President Hichilema described the project as a model for climate-resilient, people-centered infrastructure.
In a speech read on his behalf by Minister of Water and Sanitation, Collins Nzovu, he emphasized its importance in addressing immediate community needs while preparing for long-term environmental and developmental challenges.
“Kazungula holds a unique and strategic position—not just for Zambia, but for the entire Southern African region,” President Hichilema said.
He added that: “Situated at the confluence of Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, it served as a vital gateway for trade and regional integration under the Southern African Development Community (SADC).”
The President noted that the successful completion of the Kazungula Bridge and the One-Stop Border Post had already solidified the district’s regional role, and the new water project builds on that foundation by securing the health and dignity of its residents.
He stated that the project aimed to enhance the water supply and sanitation system in anticipation of Kazungula’s growing population, which was projected to increase from 5,500 in 2015 to around 22,000 by 2040.
“Today, the population stands at approximately 13,000. We are proud to commission Phase 1 of this project, which delivers safe, piped water to residents—half of whom live in low-income or peri-urban areas,” he said.
President Hichilema further highlighted that the infrastructure was designed to be climate-resilient and future-ready, incorporating key innovations to meet long-term demands.
The project includes major infrastructure developments such as a new raw water intake on the Zambezi River, expanded water treatment facilities, bulk water pipelines, and over 29 kilometers of primary and secondary distribution networks.
It also features the installation of community kiosks for low-income areas, a modern pumping station, and storage reservoirs.
Earlier, Nzovu emphasized that the initiative went beyond basic infrastructure.
“This is about transforming lives and securing the future. One of the project’s most innovative components is the commissioning of a 220-kilovolt photovoltaic (PV) solar plant—the first of its kind within Zambia’s water and sanitation sector,” Nzovu said.
He added that the integration of solar energy reflects the government’s commitment to climate resilience and sustainable energy solutions.
“By incorporating solar into our water systems, we are reducing operational costs and advancing our shift to green energy. This model represents environmentally responsible, economically viable, and climate-smart infrastructure development in Zambia,” he stated.
Nzovu also pointed out that the use of renewable energy helped lessen reliance on hydroelectric power, offering stability in energy supply and freeing up financial resources for other critical areas.
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