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Tanzania

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Tanzania

Tanzania's water and sanitation crisis

Out of its population of 65 million people, 58 million people (88% of the population) lack access to safe water, and 49 million people (74%) lack access to a safe toilet. People living under these circumstances, particularly women and girls, spend a significant amount of time traveling long distances to collect water. And other challenges like underfunding of planned government projects, population growth, and extreme weather events due to climate change create challenges for those living in poverty. Now more than ever access to safe water at home is critical to families in Tanzania.

In Tanzania, demand for both water and sanitation are high and the market for water products (like storage tanks, pipes, and rain harvesting facilities) is dynamic. With the growing digital finance sector, there is a strong opportunity to scale our impact in Tanzania.

49 million lack access to safe water
Capital: Dodoma
Population of 65 million
49 million people lack access to a safe toilet

Our impact in Tanzania

In 2016, Water.org facilitated a Tanzania market assessment to evaluate the country’s readiness for our WaterCredit solution. Results found that Tanzania offers a significant market opportunity and demand to launch WaterCredit due to its fast-growing economy and use of digital finance.

We began piloting water and sanitation lending programs with a commercial bank, Equity Bank Tanzania, in September 2017. Through this partnership, we equipped Equity Bank with the knowledge and skills needed to deploy small water and sanitation loans to households living in poverty as well as larger, corporate loans to water and sewerage companies.

We’ve since expanded our partnerships and are currently working with local financial institutions and a microfinance association, increasing the availability of loans for water supply and sanitation services, and helping more people solve their water crisis.

418,000
people reached with access to safe water or sanitation
A man accessing a safe water source in Tanzania.
A person filling up a yellow water vessel from a large water tank.

A vision for future impact in Tanzania

The water and sanitation crisis in Tanzania remains critical, and we're developing new ways to scale our work to reach even more people.

  • We will continue to scale our WaterCredit solution with existing and new financial institution partners, including large commercial banks and government-owned banks.
  • We will pilot innovative channels, including working with partners to offer water and sanitation loans through mobile money services, given the strong market of digital financial services in Tanzania.
  • We plan to collaborate with key stakeholders to drive public policy and practice shifts, enhancing the enabling environment for financing for water and sanitation solutions as the COVID-19 pandemic called for more attention to water, sanitation, and health in this country.
  • We are exploring working directly with water service providers at the community level. This will help expand the service coverage for the utilities and help reach new families in need.
  • Stories of Impact

    Obwiri

    When COVID-19 reached Obwiri’s community, she had increasing concerns about her family’s sanitation situation. Read about how a small loan empowered her to solve her family's water and sanitation crisis at a critical time.

    Read more
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  • Stories of Impact

    Water for his family and his village

    Bakari is a young man who lives in rural Tanzania south of Dar es Salaam with his parents and siblings. Growing up in this region Bakari is all too familiar with the water crisis. Read more about how Bakari solved his family's water crisis and that of many in his village.

    Read more
    bakari-1.jpg
See all Tanzania stories

Tanzania impact statistics

People reached 418,000

The number of people who now have access to safe water or sanitation and the health and opportunity they bring.

Capital mobilized (USD) $22.6 million

Our partners mobilize funds from capital markets to provide water and sanitation loans.

Loans disbursed 15,000

Our local partners make loans to people in need for life-changing safe water and sanitation solutions.

Number of active partners 5

We work with financial institutions, service providers, international agencies, and governments to make an impact.

Repayment rate 98%

Every repaid loan means another family in need can get affordable access to safe water at home.

Average loan size (USD) $1,451

Small loans can help make a big difference by providing long-term solutions for families in need around the world.

Percent of women borrowers 37%

Women are primarily responsible for household water collection and are solving the water crisis for their families.

Households living under $6.85/day 92%

We are committed to helping people living in poverty get access to safe water and sanitation solutions at home.

To help end the water crisis in Tanzania, donate today.

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