Relief for over 20,000 residents as €12 million Kazungula water project set for commissioning

Approximately 20,000 residents, along with thousands of transit users in the busy border town of Kazungula, are expected to benefit from the €12 million Kazungula Water Project once it is commissioned by President Hakainde Hichilema on June 9, 2025.

Funded under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Water Fund and hosted by the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the Kazungula Water Project represents a significant collaboration between regional and international stakeholders.

According to a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday by Ministry of Water and Sanitation spokesperson Prince Chiyuni, the project was primarily financed by the German government.

The Zambian government contributed 10 percent of the total project cost, while additional preparatory funding of approximately €985,000 was provided by the SADC Project Preparation and Development Facility (PPDF).

The project included major infrastructure upgrades and construction, such as a new raw water intake on the Zambezi River, expanded water treatment works, bulk water pipelines, and over 29 kilometers of primary and secondary distribution networks.

It also featured the installation of community kiosks to provide reliable access to potable water for low-income residents, as well as a modern pumping station and storage reservoirs.

“Furthermore, the installation of a 220-kilovolt solar photovoltaic (PV) system and battery storage ensures the project’s independence from the national electricity grid, enabling uninterrupted service delivery even during power outages,” Chiyuni said.

He added that the sustainable water supply system is also supporting local economic growth, having created over 220 employment opportunities during the construction phase alone.

Chiyuni announced that President Hichilema will officially commission the project, which aims to strengthen water security and sanitation infrastructure along the strategic SADC North-South Corridor.

“The commissioning of the Kazungula Water Project marks a critical milestone toward achieving sustainable development and water security in the region,” he said.

He noted that the initiative will improve public health, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience for both Kazungula and its neighboring border areas by providing dependable access to clean water and sanitation.

Chiyuni emphasized the strategic importance of Kazungula’s location at the intersection of Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, saying it makes the water project a key asset for advancing regional trade and integration.

“The recently completed Kazungula Bridge and the one-stop border post between Zambia and Botswana have significantly increased demand for water and sanitation services in the area, making the timely implementation of this project essential,” he said.

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