Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation Zambia

COMMUNICATORS VITAL- CHISHIMBA

LILONGWE May 27,2026 Deputy Director General of the Public Private Dialogue Forum (PPD) Jacqueline Chishimba has emphasized the growing importance of strategic communication in the successful and sustainability of development programmes in Zambia and Malawi.

Speaking during the closing session of the World Bank Group Strategic Communications Capacity Building Workshop for Project Implementation Units (PIUs) and Government Ministries for Malawi and Zambia in Lilongwe, Malawi today.

Ms. Chishimba said communication has become central to effective governance, transparency, and public trust.

Addressing delegates drawn from government institutions, communication specialists, project implementation teams, and representatives of the World Bank Group.

Ms Chishimba noted that the gathering created an important platform for peer learning, regional collaboration, and professional exchange between Zambia and Malawi.

She also expressed gratitude to the World Bank Group Communications and External Relations Team for facilitating what she described as a timely and impactful initiative.

Ms. Chishimba said the discussions held during the workshop reaffirmed that communication should no longer be viewed as supplementary to development work but as the core of every project

She observed that effective communication strengthens stakeholder confidence, promotes transparency, and enhances citizens’ understanding of development programmes.

MS Chishimba stressed that sessions on stakeholder engagement, crisis communication, results storytelling, media relations, and reputational risk management were special in daily work of communicators and project implementation teams.

"Transparent, and consistent communication was essential in building consensus and managing stakeholder expectations during reform processes". Explained Ms Chishimba.

The Deputy Director General further encouraged participants to continue collaborating beyond the workshop, noting that many development communication challenges were shared across the region.

She further proposed the establishment of a Zambia–Malawi Communicators Network bringing together communication professionals from government institutions, project implementation units, and development agencies.

She said such a platform would help sustain engagement, encourage knowledge sharing, and strengthen coordination in communicating development outcomes.

Ms. Chishimba emphasized that communicators occupy a strategic position as a bridge between policy and citizens.

She said the responsibility demands professionalism, credibility, responsiveness, and empathy.
Ends

Public Private Dialogue Forum Deputy Director General Jacqueline Chishimba closing the Strategic Communications Workshop Shop for PIUs and Government Ministries in Lilongwe - Malawi Today. Picture by MWDS PR Unit.

Photo focus: MWDs Pro Freddy Phiri stressing the need for collaboration , handling the media in a right way and communication strategy plan being vital for the Ministries.

WORLD BANK GROUP
STRENGTHENS
COMMUNICATORS

The World Bank Group WBG has convened a high-level Strategic Communication Workshop for Project Implementation Units (PIUs) and Ministries from Zambia and Malawi to strengthen public engagement, transparency, and trust in regional development programs.

The training focuses on enhancing the capacity of communication, Public Relations, and Senior Technical Leads to effectively communicate development outcomes.

Participants are acquiring skills in stakeholder engagement, coordinated messaging, and data dissemination frameworks to maximize the visibility of infrastructure and public service delivery projects.

The initiative emphasizes that results-driven communication is essential to maintain public confidence and safeguard institutional credibility.

Representing Zambia's Water Sector at the Regional event is Freddy Phiri, the Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation.

He joins a broader Zambian delegation drawn from key entities like the Public Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF) and the Ministry of Energy.

The workshop allows delegates to share practical models for information flow management during complex national development rollouts.

The skills gathered from this training will help public institutions to modernize its public outreach models. Applying these advanced strategic communication frameworks will directly boost accountability and ensure that citizens can clearly track the impacts of national programmes.

Published by The Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation - PR-Unit.

ZAMBIA CHAMPIONS INNOVATIVE FINANCING FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AT DUSHANBE FORUM

Dushanbe, Tajikistan | 25th May 2026-Zambia participated in the High-Level Investment Forum on Mobilising Private Investment and Innovative Financing for Water Infrastructure in Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).

Speaking during a panel discussion on transforming water infrastructure priorities in LLDCs into bankable projects, Eng. Oswell Katooka, Director of Water Resources Development at the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation (MWDS), emphasized the importance of enabling policy, legal, and institutional frameworks, as well as strengthening human and institutional capacities to effectively translate project priorities into bankable investments.

Eng. Katooka highlighted Zambia’s ongoing interventions, including the development of the Water Investment Plan and the review and amendment of policies and legislation related to water resources management. He further underscored Zambia’s commitment to advancing basin, regional, transboundary, and international water cooperation as a foundation for sustainable water development and management.

The forum was held on the margins of the Fourth High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development 2018–2028” (Water Action Decade), taking place from 25th to 28th May 2026 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The Zambian delegation to the Dushanbe Conference comprises officials from the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO), the Zambezi River Authority, Zambia’s Mission to the United Nations in New York, and the Embassy of Zambia in Russia.

The Dushanbe Conference serves as a key milestone towards the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, where Zambia, alongside Finland, is co-chairing the Interactive Dialogue on Water for Cooperation.

This global leadership role in water diplomacy provides Zambia with an opportunity to further strengthen international cooperation and collaboration in the water sector, which remains a critical enabler for the country’s economic transformation and social development as outlined in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).

Issued by: MWDS PR Unit

PS Kamanga unveiled 2025-2026 North Western Water supply and sewerage company Stratagic Plan. Yesterday at Kasanshi Hotel -SOLWEZI.

North Western Water 2025- 2029
Stretagic plan launched

PS Kamanga Unveils 2025-2029
N/Western Water Stretagic Plan.

Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation Permanent Secretary, Eng. Romas Kamanga, has officially launched the 2025–2029 Strategic Plan for North Western Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited, describing it as a renewed roadmap for resilience, growth, and improved service delivery in North-Western Province.

Speaking during the launch ceremony, Eng. Kamanga said the strategic plan represented more than just a corporate document, but marked the beginning of a renewed journey for the utility company as it seeks to strengthen operations and improve access to water and sanitation services.

The Permanent Secretary acknowledged that the utility company had faced numerous challenges in recent years, including ageing infrastructure, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising operational costs, declining revenues, drought conditions, and power constraints that affected service delivery in 2024.

He, however, noted that despite the difficulties, the company had demonstrated resilience through determination, innovation, and support from the Government through the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation.

Eng. Kamanga said the 2025–2029 Strategic Plan was anchored on six key objectives which include improving financial performance, mobilising resources for sustainability, expanding access to quality water and sanitation services, reducing non-revenue water, enhancing customer care and corporate image, and driving organisational reforms and human capital optimisation.

He stressed that the outlined objectives were not mere aspirations, but commitments aimed at improving the lives of communities that depend on clean water and sanitation services, while also supporting national development goals.

The Permanent Secretary further said the strategic plan was fully aligned with the Ministry’s Strategic Plan, the National Water Policy of 2024, the Eighth National Development Plan, and Zambia’s Vision 2030, all of which prioritise universal access to clean water, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management.

Eng. Kamanga disclosed that Government had renewed its commitment to supporting the utility company despite challenges arising from limited tariff adjustments, adding that feasibility studies had already been completed for new projects in Mushindamo, Kalumbila, and Ikelenge districts, as well as sanitation infrastructure investments in Solwezi, Chavuma, and Zambezi.
He said the studies would guide future investments and ensure that infrastructure expansion remained sustainable and responsive to the needs of local communities. He added that Government was already working with Kalumbila Municipal Council and Lumwana Mining Company to secure counterpart funding for major projects in the area.

The Permanent Secretary also revealed that funding had been secured for the construction of water supply systems in Kyalalankuba and surrounding areas in Solwezi, as well as additional infrastructure development in Kawiko area of Mwinilunga District, with both projects currently at the procurement stage.

Eng. Kamanga praised partnerships between the utility company and cooperating partners, noting that collaboration with Kansanshi Mining Company had facilitated the construction of distribution lines, boreholes, and network extensions in various parts of the province. He added that local authorities had also partnered with the company to extend water networks in Mwinilunga, Manyinga, Zambezi, and Kabompo districts.

He further disclosed that the company was among beneficiaries of the World Bank-supported Programme-for-Results initiative, which is expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce non-revenue water, modernise billing systems, expand water and sanitation services, and strengthen institutional capacity. Eng. Kamanga urged stakeholders to continue working together to ensure universal access to water and sanitation services, stating that water is life and sanitation is dignity, before officially launching the 2025–2029 Strategic Plan for North Western Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited.
End

Ps Kamanga Unveils 2025-2029
Stretagic plan for N/ Western Water.

The Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation Permanent Secretary, Eng. Romas Kamanga has officially launched the 2025–2029 Strategic Plan for North Western Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited, describing it as a renewed roadmap for resilience, growth, and improved service delivery in North-Western Province.

Speaking during the launch ceremony, Eng. Kamanga said the strategic plan represented more than just a corporate document, but marked the beginning of a renewed journey for the utility company as it seeks to strengthen operations and improve acess to water and sanitation services.

The Permanent Secretary acknowledged that the utility company had faced numerous challenges in recent years, including ageing infrastructure, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising operational costs, declining revenues, drought conditions, and power constraints that affected service delivery in 2024.

He, however, noted that despite the difficulties, the company had demonstrated resilience through determination, innovation, and support from Government through the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation.

Eng. Kamanga said the 2025–2029 Strategic Plan was anchored on six key objectives which include improving financial performance, mobilising resources for sustainability, expanding access to quality water and sanitation services, reducing non-revenue water, enhancing customer care and corporate image, and driving organisational reforms and human capital optimisation.

He stressed that the outlined objectives were not mere aspirations, but commitments aimed at improving the lives of communities that depend on clean water and sanitation services, while also supporting national development goals.

The Permanent Secretary further said the strategic plan was fully aligned with the Ministry’s Strategic Plan, the National Water Policy of 2024, the Eighth National Development Plan, and Zambia’s Vision 2030, all of which prioritise universal access to clean water, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management.

Eng. Kamanga disclosed that Government had renewed its commitment to supporting the utility company despite challenges arising from limited tariff adjustments, adding that feasibility studies had already been completed for new projects in Mushindamo, Kalumbila, and Ikelenge districts, as well as sanitation infrastructure investments in Solwezi, Chavuma, and Zambezi.

He said the studies would guide future investments and ensure that infrastructure expansion remained sustainable and responsive to the needs of local communities. He added that Government was already working with Kalumbila Municipal Council and Lumwana Mining Company to secure counterpart funding for major projects in the area.

The Permanent Secretary also revealed that funding had been secured for the construction of water supply systems in Kyalalankuba and surrounding areas in Solwezi, as well as additional infrastructure development in Kawiko area of Mwinilunga District, with both projects currently at procurement stage.

Eng. Kamanga praised partnerships between the utility company and cooperating partners, noting that collaboration with Kansanshi Mining Company had facilitated the construction of distribution lines, boreholes, and network extensions in various parts of the province. He added that local authorities had also partnered with the company to extend water networks in Mwinilunga, Manyinga, Zambezi, and Kabompo districts.

He further disclosed that the company was among beneficiaries of the World Bank-supported Programme-for-Results initiative, which is expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce non-revenue water, modernising billing systems, expand water and sanitation services, and strengthen institutional capacity.

Eng. Kamanga urged stakeholders to continue working together to ensure universal access to water and sanitation services, stating that water is life and sanitation is dignity, before officially launching the 2025–2029 Strategic Plan for North Western Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited.
End.

Photo focus :
Integrated Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project and Transforming Rural Livelihood Western Zambia steering committee meeting at Protea Marriot Hotel in Lusaka.