Kasumbalesa (Zambia) Border Town Water Supply and Sanitation

Overview
The project will provide climate resilient water supply and sanitation (WSS) to 17,000 residents of Kasumbalesa and neighbouring Konkola, and an estimated 500,000 cross-border travellers per year. It will improve health and hygiene, reduce waterborne diseases, provide economic opportunities and build resilience to climate change.
Investment request
£5.4 million of grant finance to rehabilitate and expand the water supply and sanitation system.
Project summary
Kasumbalesa is strategically located along the North– South Transport Corridor, between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and is amongst the busiest corridors in the region. Despite this, it remains a barrier to regional trade due to slow processing and inadequate facilities. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has identified the Kasumbalesa border for the development of a one-stop border post (OSBP); both the town and trade flows are therefore expected to grow.
The Kasumbalesa WSS project will expand and upgrade the existing WSS system. Together with a parallel project in Kasumbalesa in the DRC, it aims to promote transboundary cooperation between Zambia and the DRC and increase resilience for the Kasumbalesa and Konkola population. The project will deliver significant social and health impacts and is economically viable, with a positive economic benefit– cost ratio. The revenue generated from the system will provide sufficient cashflow to support operation and maintenance costs. The project is part of a wider CRIDF initiative to support climate resilient WSS infrastructure at strategic SADC one-stop border posts.
Main sponsor(s)
Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC)