Mozambique: Water reaches the population of Muanza through PRONASAR funded by the United Kingdom

The President of the Republic, Daniel Francisco Chapo, and the Government of the United Kingdom in Mozambique inaugurated on Saturday, 28 February, a new water supply system for the town of Muanza, in Sofala province. The new infrastructure, built under PRONASAR, will benefit 7,000 people and has the future capacity to serve more than 17,000 residents. The Muanza system represents an investment of 50 million meticais and forms part of the UK’s ongoing support to the National Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy since 2009.

In total, the United Kingdom has financed more than 160 water systems and around 2,000 boreholes in rural areas of Mozambique. Between 2015 and 2026, in Sofala province, British support covered ten water systems, including those in Gorongosa, Muxúngue, Goonda, Mutindiri, Vanduzi, Guara-Guara, Muanza, Maríngue, Cheringoma and Nhamatanda, as well as the construction of 29 boreholes and six sanitation blocks in Marromeu, Chemba and Caia. At national level, British investment in the rural water and sanitation sector totals £54.5 million (4.5 billion meticais), enabling interventions in more than 200 water systems.

This support has ensured that more than 1.8 million people have access to clean drinking water and that 3.3 million benefit from improved sanitation and hygiene conditions. Speaking at the ceremony, President Daniel Chapo recalled that the community previously relied on open wells with a high risk of contamination, particularly during the dry season. “When water is far away, productivity falls and poverty deepens,” said President Daniel Chapo, stressing that the new infrastructure breaks this cycle and creates the conditions for healthier and more productive lives.

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The UK’s Head of Cooperation in Mozambique, Dominic Ashton, underlined the continued commitment of the British Government to support Mozambique in mobilising climate finance and private investment to strengthen the water sector. “Ensuring safe and accessible water is fundamental for climate resilience and human development. This system belongs to the Muanza community; its sustainability depends on participatory, transparent and accountable management.

Today we celebrate new infrastructure and new opportunities – especially for women and girls,” said Dominic Ashton. The United Kingdom and the Government of Mozambique reaffirmed their commitment to continue working in partnership to expand access to global climate finance mechanisms, including the Green Climate Fund, in order to scale up climate-resilient water infrastructure and ensure continuous supply even in the face of future climate shocks.

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