AfDB loan to improve water supply in Zimbabwe

13 June 2011

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Zimbabwean government have signed a $30 million (£18.4 million) agreement to benefit the urgent water supply and sanitation rehabilitation project in the country.

The agreement was signed on Friday June 10th in Lisbon by Zimbabwe's finance minister, Tendai Biti and the AfDB's vice-president for operations, Aloysius Ordu.

Once implemented, the project is expected to improve the state of the water and sanitation infrastructure in Harare, Masvingo, Mutare, Chegutu, Kwekwe and Chitungwiza.

Some 4.15 million people living in these cities will benefit from the initiative.

Finance minister Biti recognised the project as an "essential and significant additional step" towards the restoration of basic services throughout his country.

"The project will have real impact on men and women in the country," he said.

Mr Biti also noted the need for his government to work towards clearing the country's debt as a significant step to accelerate the process of recovery.

Category: Water