Tag: tanzania

As part of their national development goals, many countries are expanding production zones – creating economic hubs that pose both environmental risks and opportunities for large-scale resource efficiency. But how can industrial development happen without degrading ecosystems and vital natural resources? And how can this transition be socially just, leaving no one behind?

Better together – Partnerships for Collaborative Action on Sustainable Resource Management in Economic Zones 

During a three-day regional learning and exchange event, more than 50 participants from different sectors (public, private, civil society) from NatuReS partner countries Ethiopia, South Africa, Zambia and Tanzania came together in Dar es Salaam to shed light on these pressing questions. The consensus was clear. No actor can solve this issue alone. It needs partnerships between the public and private sectors as well as civil society to find shared solutions. Thus, it was no surprise that the event was opened with a strong call for action, collaboration, and innovation.

Balancing Industrial Development with Environmental Stewardship in Tanzania

Representing the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Tanzania, Mr Aristides Mbwasi, Director of Investment at the Tanzania Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) spoke about the importance of balancing industrial development with environmental stewardship. He advocated for social-ecological and transformative measures and integrative solutions that promote economic development while protecting vital natural resources. Mr Mbwasi stressed the role of sharing knowledge and best practises in order to bridge the gap between industrialization and sustainability to advance a Just Transition.

In his opening remarks, Mr Elibariki Mmassy, Basin Director of the Wami/Ruvu Basin Water Board (WRBWB) in Tanzania, highlighted the urgency of integrated water management in the face of pollution, overuse, and climate change. He emphasized that water security is not only a technical issue – it is also a matter of social justice. He called for transformative solutions to wastewater management and pollution control, highlighting opportunities for private sector engagement.

Water Security for Economic Zones: Lessons from Stewardship Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships Across the Region 

After setting the scene for the following days full of discussion and learning, participants had the chance to look beyond their own turf and explore how stewardship multi-stakeholder partnerships are identifying and collaboratively addressing shared natural resources risk. Besides discussing technical solutions such as rainwater harvesting or nature-based solutions, the panellists pointed out that to overcome these challenges, private sector, government and civil society have to work hand in hand to enhance water security and sustainability. To this end, global frameworks such as the International Framework for Eco-Industrial Parks (EIPs) can function as a strategic lever to link commercial success with socio-ecological responsibility.

Making a Business Case for Collaborative Water Stewardship

In a lively fishbowl discussion, participants discussed what makes compelling business cases for collaborative action between all sectors, identifying key drivers, enablers and challenges. Key takeaways include: 

• Private sector must shift from profit-only models to sustainability-driven strategies, embracing compliance and innovation.
• Public sector plays a critical role as enabler and regulator, translating policy into impactful action.
• Financing mechanisms like impact investment or investment platforms can scale up solutions, with success measured by both economic returns and socio-ecological impact.

From Dialogue to Action – The Partnership for Sustainable Economic Zones within Benjamin William Mkapa Special Economic Zone (BWM-SEZ)

The second day of the event was packed full of action with a field visit to the premises of the Tanzania Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) located within the Benjamin William Mkapa Special Economic Zone (BWM-SEZ). This gave participants the opportunity to see how the Partnership for Sustainable Economic Zones, which is supported by NatuReS, jointly drives activities for a socio-ecological transformation on the ground. The visit also presented the perfect opportunity for the official signing of the new partnership action plan.

Initially formed in 2018, the Partnership for Sustainable Economic Zones has achieved great results in its efforts to enhance water security within the special economic zone. 

Notable achievements and activities include: 

• Establishing wastewater management guidelines for the zone 
• Upgrading the sewage pumping station 
• Introducing solid waste management systems for the zone 
• Enhancing water use efficiency through the expansion of the Tooku Garments wastewater treatment plant and enhancement of water use efficiency

In addition to gaining insights into the collaborative strategies and actions implemented by the partnership, participants had the opportunity to visit the wastewater treatment plant of Tooku Garments, one of the largest tenants in the Benjamin William Mkapa Special Economic Zone (BWM-SEZ). The visit provided valuable learnings on the practical application of wastewater management solutions and highlighted the importance of sustainable industrial practices in that regard.

Addressing Water Resource Governance Challenges in Tanzania and Beyond

On the last day of the regional exchange event, participants travelled all the way to Morogoro to visit the Mindu Dam which is part of the Wami/Ruvu basin that provides the water resources for millions of people in the region.
Representatives from the Wami/Ruvu Basin Water Board (WRBWB) shared the challenges they face, such as increased water usage and abstraction due to rapid population growth and industrialization, particularly in the Dar es Salaam and Dodoma areas. Pollution from upstream sources also poses a significant threat to water quality. The Board’s role is to ensure the sustainable availability of water resources to support both community well-being and national economic development.

Following the dam visit, participants were hosted at the Wami/Ruvu Basin Water Board (WRBWB) headquarters, where they were introduced to the journey undertaken by the WRBWB, with support from NatuReS, to improve water resource management and governance in Tanzania. This included the evolution of a water permitting process, from initial concepts to the launch of the national Water Use Management Information System (WUMIS). The WUMIS system can be used both for water abstraction and wastewater discharge permits by various sectors. Participants also learned how WUMIS is currently transforming from a rather complicated, paper-based system into a digitized process that streamlines permit applications, payments, and management, thereby significantly enhancing water governance and improving water resource management in Tanzania. 

Looking Ahead: Building a Just and Resilient Future through Partnerships

The regional exchange reaffirmed that water stewardship is a cornerstone of a socio-ecological transformation, particularly within the context of economic zones and industrial development. Stewardship multi-stakeholder partnerships have proven to be powerful drivers, bringing together actors from across sectors to foster transparency, inclusivity, and shared responsibility on the path to a Just Transition.

Through the power of knowledge exchange, supportive policies, and the joint implementation of innovative solutions, partner countries are advancing toward a future where healthy ecosystems, resilient communities, and thriving sustainable industries are not distant goals – but shared, lived realities.

Catchment stewardship partnerships are crucial for managing water resources sustainably through collective action to address the myriad challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, and increasing water demand. These partnerships often bring together diverse stakeholders, including governments, private sector entities, communities, and non-governmental organizations. However, for such collaborations to achieve equitable and sustainable outcomes, gender inclusion must play an integral part in their design and implementation. 

Gender Inclusion: A Cornerstone of Sustainable Water Management 

Gender inclusion in catchment stewardship partnerships is important because water access, use, and management often have gender-specific dynamics. In many societies, women bear the primary responsibility for collecting and managing household water supplies. Yet, they are frequently excluded from decision-making processes about water resource management. Addressing this imbalance is not only a matter of equity but also a practical step toward more effective and sustainable water governance. 

Additionally, women and men often use water resources differently. Women are more likely to focus on domestic and subsistence uses, while men might engage in agricultural or industrial water use. Furthermore, women and marginalized groups possess valuable local knowledge about water sources, seasonal variations, and sustainable practices, which can enhance the design and implementation of stewardship initiatives. Ignoring these differences can lead to policies that disadvantage one group over another. Therefore, when women and marginalized groups are excluded from water resources management decisions, their specific needs and insights are overlooked, leading to inequitable outcomes and potentially unsustainable practices.

Gender Inclusion Challenges in SUWAMA Partnerships 

Efforts to promote gender inclusion in the SUWAMA partnerships have revealed significant challenges rooted in systemic, cultural, and operational barriers. Despite some progress, deeply ingrained patriarchal norms and structural inequities continue to limit women’s participation in water resources management and governance.

Firstly, a key challenge is systemic exclusion that cements patriarchal traditions by prioritizing male leadership and decision-making, which become societal norms that assume men are better suited for such roles. Additionally, systemic exclusion also drives traditional perceptions of viewing women and marginalized groups as ‘less capable’ of handling physically demanding tasks; thus, discouraging their involvement in activities like furrow rehabilitation. Secondly, narrow advocacy and representation often leads to gender inclusion topics being treated as a ‘secondary issue’ with token representation in committees rather than systemic integration into governance processes. While progress has been made to address existing policy and implementation gaps, broader systemic reforms and robust implementation are lacking. Lastly, safety concerns caused by gender-based violence risks and traditional beliefs often discourage women’s involvement in roles requiring nighttime work, such as resolving furrow management conflicts.  

Boosting Gender Inclusion in SUWAMA Partnerships 

Understanding the roles, rights, and needs of women and marginalized groups raises awareness among SUWAMA partners on the need for structured and sustained efforts to empower this group in active water resources management. On 4^th and 5^th December 2024, 40 beneficiaries (members) of SUWAMA Weruweru (16) and Usa River (14) as well as other water resources beneficiaries from the communities (10 members) were invited to a dialogue aimed at better understanding and dismantling barriers to participation, exploring strategies to amplify the voices of under-represented groups and promote equitable decision-making processes.  

To ensure the dialogue process provided a conducive environment for meaningful participation, the workshop organizers used appropriate facilitation styles and language, covered costs for participation, and provided a safe space to all the participants. Inclusive facilitation allows all voices, especially those of women and marginalized groups, to be heard, while using familiar language fosters understanding among rural participants. Covering costs and providing reimbursements removes financial barriers that may otherwise exclude participants. And ensuring safety during travel and at the venue addresses concerns, particularly for women and marginalized groups, enabling them to attend and engage without fear. These factors collectively created an environment that supported equitable and effective participation. 

Pathways to Progress: Transformative Recommendations 

The discussions on gender roles in irrigation systems identified opportunities for cross-gender collaboration and emphasizing women and marginalized groups’ potential to take on leadership and traditionally male-dominated roles. Women and marginalized groups advocated for more involvement in leadership, water resources protection, maintaining irrigation systems, and planning water allocations, viewing these as critical steps toward equity. 

Community education and constitutional reforms were highlighted as tools to break patriarchal barriers and ensure women and marginalized groups’ representation. Participants also proposed alternative income generating activities, like recycling of plastic waste from rivers, to empower women and marginalized groups economically. Training initiatives and community support were deemed necessary to build women and marginalized groups’ confidence and encourage their participation in leadership. 

Environmental conservation, including river restoration and tree planting, were identified as a priority, with bylaws and funding needed to support these efforts. These recommendations underline the importance of empowering women and fostering collaboration to achieve sustainable water resources management. 

Turning Words into Action: Implementing Gender Inclusion in SUWAMA Partnerships 

Moving forward, a SUWAMA partner – Agro Tanzania – will serve as the gender focal person at the partnership secretariat level. The newly developed gender action plan activities will be integrated into the broader Partnership Action Plan under a new working area: “Gender Inclusion in Water Resources Management.” 

The gender task force will implement this action plan at both partnership and community levels, with support from the SUWAMA secretariat. The implementation will be conducted through training and workshops.  And progress will be monitored through beneficiary evaluations showcasing how the recommendations are being applied and used. These steps aim to transform gender inclusion from a discussion point into practical, measurable actions for sustainable water resource management.