Tag: Zambia

From 9 to 11 September 2025, the Natural Resources Stewardship (NatuReS II) Programme hosted a regional exchange workshop in Lusaka, Zambia. Based on the experiences of the Lusaka Water Security Initiative (LuWSI), the event aimed to promote collaboration and learning on city-wide Stewardship Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (SMSPs). It brought together 45 private sector, public sector and civil society partners from Zambia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Ethiopia working on inclusive, environmentally responsible development and natural resources governance. Key objectives of the event included sharing experiences, tools, and best practices on SMSP implementation across the partnering countries. The workshop was part of a series of NatuReS II regional exchanges to support the uptake and replication of proven approaches on SMSPs for a Just Transition and facilitate inter-country connections. 

Regional Workshop Opens with Focus on Partnerships for Water Security

The first day of the workshop kicked off with opening remarks emphasising the urgency of cross-country collaboration for sustainable natural resource management. Ms Adjoa Parker, NatuReS Country Coordinator in Zambia, welcomed participants, stressing that mutual learning and regional exchange are key to addressing shared environmental challenges and scale effective solutions. Ms Anke Peine-Ellis, GIZ Zambia’s Water and Energy Cluster Coordinator, underscored the climate risks facing Zambia, including extreme droughts and floods that threaten key sectors like agriculture and energy. She pointed to the collective achievements showcased at previous exchanges such as digital water governance in Tanzania and ecosystem-based solutions in Ethiopia as examples of the valuable regional knowledge-sharing this event would foster.

Ms Yanko Tamandani Mataya, LuWSI Board Chair and WaterAid Zambia Country Director, highlighted LuWSI’s major accomplishments, including the launch of a digital water atlas and outreach that has benefited over 259,000 community members. She emphasised that LuWSI’s success lies in turning a shared vision into measurable impact, offering a replicable model for other cities. Last but not least, Eng. Romas Kamanga, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, took to the stage, calling for integrated solutions that connect water security to sectors such as health, energy, and industry. He praised the SMSP model as an effective way to deliver Zambia’s Vision 2030 and achieve SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation. He then officially opened the workshop, urging participants to engage fully and take lessons from Zambia back to their own countries.

Following the opening, the exchange presented highlights and key experiences from the partnerships in all four NatuReS II countries to enable two-way learning. Find out more on all partnerships here. This overview also illustrated how SMSPs, coupled with inclusive governance, drive socio-ecological transformation in their local contexts. 

Learning About the Journey of LuWSI—Building a City-wide Water Security Partnership

The afternoon sessions delved further into the work and development of the LuWSI partnership. To provide context on the process, Ms Wyness Zimba, an Advisor from the NatuReS team in Zambia, presented the Natural Resources Risk and Action Framework (NRAF), the approach guiding the facilitation of our partnerships. It consists of five phases: Prepare, Assess, Commit, Act, and Scale/Exit. She stressed that these are not linear but iterative and that sustainability must be integrated from the start rather than being an afterthought.

Following this, Mr Nathan Nyambe from the LuWSI secretariat shared further details on the LuWSI platform, which unites over 40 partners across sectors to improve water security in Lusaka. Formally registered in 2022, LuWSI operates under a governance structure led by a General Assembly and Board of Directors, with strategic goals focused on collaboration, capacity building, financial sustainability, and collective action. Mr Nyambe highlighted key projects such as wellfield protection, green cities adaptation, and solid waste management, demonstrating how the platform tackles complex water challenges through coordinated efforts.

The session concluded with an interactive walk-through of LuWSI’s development since 2016, where participants explored milestones and lessons learned. In a plenary reflection, participants shared their key takeaways and acknowledged LuWSI’s achievements in gaining recognition and delivering real benefits to communities and the environment through robust governance and funding arrangements. The group agreed that strong stakeholder buy-in through shared goals, resources, time and endurance are essential for applying and scaling the NRAF framework.

Strengthening Sustainability and Governance of SMSPs

The second day of the conference delved further into the details of facilitating lasting and inclusive partnerships with committed participation of the private sector. It opened with a session on sustainability and governance of SMSPs, led by Mr Kasenga Hara, Coordinator of the LuWSI Secretariat. He traced LuWSI’s journey from its early days under GIZ to its current structure as an independent entity hosted by NWASCO and outlined various funding strategies tested over time. These included membership fees, event sponsorships, knowledge monetisation, and project-based financing amidst challenges such as regulatory compliance, limited core funding, and economic constraints. To ensure LuWSI’s long-term viability, Mr Hara emphasised the need for innovation, diversified revenue models, and even stronger partner engagement.

Following the presentation, participants broke into country groups to reflect on LuWSI’s efforts as well as the state of their own partnerships with regards to sustainability. Across countries, common themes emerged: the importance of clear governance, stakeholder alignment and compelling value propositions for members, sustainable financing and business models, and tangible results. However, maintaining momentum and engagement, ensuring inclusivity, mobilising resources, and balancing government support with autonomy remain key challenges.

Empowering communities and advancing inclusivity: integrating women and marginalised groups in SMSPs

The second topic of the day focused on inclusivity and delivering just outcomes in SMSPs. Mr David Nonde Mwamba from NatuReS Zambia opened the session, reflecting with participants on the human rights-based approach and highlighting that inclusion must be operationalised early and tied to formal governance systems. Next, Evelyn Musonda from Lusaka City Council showcased the key role of Ward Development Committees (WDCs) in local governance. Legally mandated, WDCs link communities to councils, support local planning, and ensure that marginalised voices are heard. Partnerships with organisations like WWF and the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities have strengthened WDCs’ capacity, embedding gender, disability, and climate considerations into local development plans.

A video from Kamanga Ward featured Fatima Nkhuwa, a WDC member, who shared how training helped communities take ownership of development initiatives like road grading and waste management. She stressed empathy, accountability, and community cohesion. The session concluded by reaffirming that durable inclusion requires aligning social rights with institutional responsibilities through ongoing dialogue and accountability.

Spotlight on private sector participation in SMSPs

The third session explored the role, motivations, and experiences of the private sector in Stewardship Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships. Since starting in 2016, companies like Zambia Breweries, Coca-Cola, and British American Tobacco (BAT) joined LuWSI, contributing to activities such as catchment protection, sanitation, and awareness campaigns. While initially difficult, Sandra Ngozo from the LuWSI Secretariat shared how private sector participation gradually gained momentum through evidence-based advocacy and persistent engagement. She also emphasised that private sector contributions are not limited to funding. Companies also helped co-develop strategies, hosted dialogues, and sponsored joint initiatives. As participation widened to include local utilities and waste management firms, the platform demonstrated that stewardship could deliver both community impact and business value. Sustained engagement, she noted, was driven by trust, recognition, and alignment with shared goals.

Building on this, Ms Sophia Mapulanga from BAT Zambia presented how the company applies the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard to integrate water stewardship into its daily operations. Key measures included internal awareness, water monitoring, and infrastructure upgrades. Since implementing an environmental management system in 2021, BAT Zambia achieved zero landfill waste and AWS certification by 2023, exceeding its water reduction targets. Both speakers concluded that effective stewardship hinges on long-term commitment, clear standards, and collective action across sectors.

In a panel discussion facilitated by Ms Ngozo, private sector representatives delved further into the business case for engaging in stewardship partnerships like LuWSI. It featured Ms Bridget Bwembya from Zambian Breweries, Ms Sophia Mapulanga from BAT Zambia, and Ms Carol Sampa from the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone (LSMFEZ).

• Ms Bwembya shared how Zambian Breweries uses platforms such as LuWSI to deliver water-related projects aligned with corporate sustainability goals, e.g. water access initiatives in the George Compound or a recycling programme. She stressed the need for long-term planning and clear roles to ensure continuity.
• For BAT, LuWSI has been instrumental in opening doors and building connections to address joint water issues and co-implement environmental initiatives like reforestation. To anchor stewardship within companies, Ms Mapulanga pointed to the clear monetary benefit of saving and recycling water and noted how this was enforced by embedding sustainability in corporate KPIs.
• For the LSMFEZ, the value of engaging in water stewardship is clear. Dependant on ground water and with more development planned, responsible and efficient water management is key for resilient economic development and bringing investment to the zone. Having signed a Memorandum of Understanding with LuWSI, Ms Sampa outlined how the LSMFEZ is benefitting from the shared experience and partnering with LuWSI to improve water reliability and wastewater management, e.g. through pre-treatment facilities and addressing water losses.

All panellists agreed that water stewardship requires more than compliance – it demands strategic partnerships, early stakeholder involvement, and community engagement to achieve lasting, shared benefits. Key takeaways for the audience included the importance of speaking the language of private investors, aligning environmental initiatives with legal mandates, and linking stewardship to business outcomes.

Connecting Across Countries

In addition to all the thematic input and exchange on the many different aspects of building effective multi-stakeholder partnerships, the exchange provided plenty opportunities for the partners to connect across sectors and countries. An interactive marketplace gave the Zambian partners space to display their initiatives through visual material and short presentations. Booths were hosted by LuWSI, GIZ NatuReS as well as many partner organisations such as WaterAid, WWF, Lusaka City Council, Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company, Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia. Participants rotated in between, engaging in informal discussions and peer-to-peer learning. Additionally, the event featured an interactive “speed-dating” exercise to encourage direct exchange on experiences, joint challenges, and potential partnerships. Participants also continued discussions at the evening’s networking dinner.

Site visits to the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone

On the final day of the exchange, participants embarked on a field visit to deepen their understanding of private sector involvement in sustainable water and resource management. The day began at the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone (LSMFEZ), where Mr Maxwell Zulu, Director of Planning & Compliance, delivered a presentation on the zone’s operations, compliance framework, and investment plans. Participants engaged actively, highlighting the significant potential of such industrial hubs to advance both environmental and economic objectives.

This was followed by site visits to two private sector companies within LSMFEZ that have been consistent, willing and taken initiatives like the pursuit of the AWS certification. At the BAT Zambia factory, participants were shown the packaging process and learned about the company’s environmental compliance and waste management practices. Next, at Trade Kings Home Care Limited, they toured the soap and detergent plant, gaining insights into production processes and the site’s approach to water efficiency and reuse.

The day concluded with a reflection session. Participants each identified two concrete actions they would pursue upon return from the exchange – ranging from initiating sustainability programs, strengthening partnerships, and mobilising stakeholders, to replicating SMSP governance models and business planning. These personal commitments underscored a strong intent to apply lessons learned in their local contexts.

In August 2025, the NatuReS programme proudly participated in this year’s World Water Week (WWW) conference in Stockholm. Hosted annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute, WWW is a pivotal gathering for the global water sector. It brings together partners from across the globe to discuss solutions to the world’s greatest water-related challenges – this year under the theme “Water for Climate Action.”

NatuReS, through the Zambian team, had the privilege of co-convening a dedicated session on “Private Sector Investment and Participation in Sustainable Water Management and Stewardship” together with the secretariat of our flagship partnership, the Lusaka Water Security Initiative (LuWSI). The session aligned perfectly with one of this year’s WWW sub-topics: Water Stewardship for Economic Growth and Environmental and Societal Protection. The event was well-attended, with diverse stakeholders from the private sector, civil society, and the public sector, including representatives from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and GIZ headquarters.  

Highlighting the role of the private sector in stewardship partnerships

The session opened with a keynote address by Mr Lars Selwig, Head of the Water and Circular Economy Division at BMZ. Mr Selwig underscored the longstanding partnership between the private sector and the programmes commissioned by BMZ, while emphasising the need to further strengthen these links. The Country Coordinator of NatuReS Zambia, LuWSI’s GIZ partner, also delivered an address, highlighting the importance of stewardship and multi-stakeholder collaboration for sustainable water resources management. She stressed that the private sector should be viewed not merely as a user of water resources or a funder, but as a partner in the stewardship journey alongside other stakeholders.  

Practical insights from corporate water stewards and audience interaction

Adding valuable practical insights, Dr Duncan Tembo, Systems and Enterprise Risk Management Specialist at Zambia Sugar, a member of the LuWSI platform, presented some case studies from Zambia. Dr Tembo holds vast experience in stewardship partnerships, not only as representative of a LuWSI member company but also as Chair of the Kafue Flats Joint Action Group (KFJAG). The KFJAG is a multi-stakeholder platform working towards the sustainable management and development of the Kafue Flats ecosystem in Zambia.

His presentation showcased the adoption of the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standards by Zamia Sugar, as well as the exemplary activities undertaken by companies like Zambia Breweries, ZamBeef and Manzi Valley as good corporate water stewards. Dr Tembo also discussed some of the challenges faced by the private sector and the benefits of engaging in a multi-stakeholder partnerships. Ms Chilala Haankuku from Uptime Global Consulting then presented another story from Zambia which focused on the compelling case for small-scale entrepreneurs in the WASH sector.

The session was highly interactive, featuring live polling and dynamic interactions between the audience and speakers beyond simple questions and answers. As the plenary discussed the role of the private sector, participants shared their experiences and deliberated how to create an enabling environment for them to be true partners in water stewardship and equitable natural resources governance.

Contributing to the dialogue on collaborative water stewardship

Beyond the session, the delegates from NatuReS and LuWSI were invited to a two-day side event on stewardship termed “The Waterlogues”. Building on the Global Water Stewardship Forum in Edinburgh a few months prior, AWS hosted this event alongside the Fair Water Footprint partners, WWF, the Waterlogues team, and others. It gathered global stewardship players from the private sector, public sector and civil society for a stocktake on lessons from the past decade of water stewardship and to chart a way forward amidst evolving geopolitics. 

Overall, NatuReS’ participation in World Water Week 2025 was a resounding success. It fostered meaningful dialogue on collaborative water stewardship and showcased how we successfully engage private sector players in our partnerships.

From May 27-29, 2025, stakeholders from across Africa and beyond gathered in Lusaka, Zambia, for the 3rd African Implementation and Partnership Conference on Water – the PANAFCON-3. Convened under the theme “Assuring Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sanitation for the Africa We Want,” they came together to review the draft for the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and Policy. The conference was a call to action – aiming to reignite political and institutional commitment to water and sanitation as a core driver for achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Against this backdrop, the Lusaka Water Security Initiative (LuWSI) and Wiggles Ventures convened a session titled “ESG and Sustainability for the Private Sector” on May 27. LuWSI is a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together public institutions, private sector companies, civil society, and academia to safeguard Lusaka’s water resources. Wiggles Ventures, a sustainability-focused enterprise, is committed to promoting green business practices and inclusive development through innovation, technology, and partnerships. The Natural Resources Stewardship Programme (NatuReS) contributed to the organisation of the session, supporting LuWSI and sharing its expertise in stewardship multi-stakeholder partnerships.

ESG and the private sector’s evolving role in achieving sustainability

The session aligned directly with PANAFCON’s broader goal of inclusive and climate-resilient water and sanitation strategies: It explored the growing convergence between Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) adoption and climate imperatives. And it discussed how the private sector contributes to sustainable water and sanitation outcomes through ESG implementation, driving both resilience and competitiveness in the private sector.

The session, moderated by NatuReS’ Adjoa Parker, opened with a keynote address by Mr Elvin Nasilele, CEO of the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI). Mr Nasilele unpacked the concept of ESG, explaining how the three pillars help businesses future-proof operations, build stakeholder trust, and demonstrate credibility to investors, regulators, and communities. He emphasized that ESG should be seen not merely as compliance but as a business enabler, especially in navigating the ESG-climate change nexus, which increasingly defines risk and opportunity landscapes for the private sector. Mr Nasilele also called for collective action, underscoring the role of multi-stakeholder platforms in convening diverse stakeholders, facilitating knowledge exchange and capacity building, aligning business action with national sustainability goals, and creating an enabling environment for ESG uptake.

Multi-stakeholder collaboration as implementation framework

A cornerstone of the session was the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration – the idea that when businesses, governments, and civil society work together, they can unlock shared value and co-create a better future – essential to both LuWSI’s work and the PANAFCON-3 ethos. The session featured a multi-stakeholder panel with representatives from the different sectors who shared diverse perspectives on ESG implementation in Zambia. Key challenges mentioned included siloed efforts and lack of coordination among stakeholders, the absence of incentives and diverging priorities across sectors, the perception of ESG as a tick-box exercise rather than a transformative framework, as well as resource constraints.

In this regard, the multi-stakeholder approach came out as an important success factor for ESG implementation. Discussions also included how businesses investing in ESG tend to foster local community development and how civil society as well as auditing firms can support capacity building and governance frameworks. Further, the session underlined how ESG implementation that considers youth engagement, gender equity, and wellbeing can deliver more inclusive long-term outcomes. Integrating ESG into business strategy is also a powerful tool for building climate resilience, particularly in the water and environmental sectors that are vulnerable to climate shocks.

Beyond this session at PANAFCON-3, NatuReS continues to champion the value of transformative multi-stakeholder partnerships such as LuWSI. Through these stewardship partnerships, NatuReS works to identify and mitigate risks collaboratively, promote inclusive development, and co-create solutions that drive environmental health, economic resilience, and social equity.

In Zambia, like any other place on the planet, water sustains life, livelihoods, and the environment. And commercial utilities (CUs) play a pivotal role in managing it. Zambia’s 11 CUs are responsible for supplying potable water, supporting public health, managing rising urban water demand, and strengthening capacity in communities for effective management of water access and sewerage infrastructure. Their mandate also stretches across complex operational issues like non-revenue water (NRW), water treatment, and network expansion – all while working to ensure service continuity and safety.

Amid these challenges, a quiet transformation is underway. The concept of Water and Environmental Stewardship is helping to shift CUs from being just service providers to becoming active partners in sustainable water governance. This paradigm change encourages a stakeholder-based approach, where utilities not only manage infrastructure but also help protect water resources through innovation, community engagement, and collaboration.

To recognize and promote this critical evolution, the Lusaka Water Security Initiative (LuWSI) launched the Stewardship Awards in 2018. LuWSI is a platform of over 40 partners from the public and private sector and civil society, supported by GIZ’s Natural Resources Stewardship Programme (NatuReS II). Now, in its Commercial Utility edition, the award is shining a well-deserved spotlight on the efforts made within Zambia’s water sector.

Showcasing Stewardship in Action

This year’s edition of the award saw seven Commercial Utilities submit entries documenting their sustainability practices, innovations, and community engagement strategies. These submissions were independently verified through site visits and reviews. The evaluation teams comprised the Lusaka Water Security Initiative Secretariat, National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the NatuReS Programme. They assessed key criteria including leadership and institutional commitment, operational practices, innovation and technology as well as community engagement and environmental protection. The evaluations both uncovered shared challenges and opportunities, reinforcing the value of collective learning in the sector.

All utilities demonstrated high levels of commitment, with their initiatives underlining how stewardship is not a one-size-fits-all model but a spectrum of solutions adapted to local contexts – and driven by genuine care for natural resources and the communities served:

• Southern Water Supply and Sanitation Company (SWASSCO) invested in intake protection along the Zambezi River in Kazungula. This effort combined engineering upgrades with tree-planting and community sensitisation to protect vulnerable intake points.

• Luapula Water reinforced its community engagement by partnering with local watch groups that promote WASH practices and report vandalism. These groups interface directly with the Utility’s senior management – eliminating bureaucratic delays and fostering trust. By embedding community voices into utility operations, it strengthens public accountability and drives improved environmental outcomes. This sets a strong example of inclusive stewardship that can be replicated across the sector.

• Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC) showcased multiple innovations. At Chongwe intake, improved filtration shall enhance water quality, while at the Lolanda treatment plant, a system has been implemented to repurpose backwash water – reducing waste and increasing efficiency. In Kafue, LWSC partnered with Fresh Life to pilot affordable container based toilets in markets and select residential areas. These sanitation solutions offer a safer, more sustainable alternative to pit latrines by minimizing groundwater contamination and supporting urban hygiene.

The award ceremony was held on April 16 alongside the official launch of the Water Sector Report, presided over by the Zambian Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Hon. Collins Nzovu. The Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC) emerged as the winner, with Southern Water Supply and Sanitation Company (SWASSCO) as runner-up.

Building a Culture of Stewardship

Ultimately, the Stewardship Award is not just about accolades. It is a call to action, encouraging utilities to go beyond compliance and embrace their role as environmental guardians. It promotes a mindset where collaboration – across regulators, businesses, communities, and development partners – becomes the norm, not the exception. For Zambia to achieve its vision of water security and resilience, especially in the face of climate change and rapid urbanisation, Commercial Utilities are central actors. The award is a step toward further embedding stewardship into the culture of service delivery.

The progress seen across Zambia’s Commercial Utilities is enabled through the support of NatuReS, committed to advancing a Just Transition with fair, sustainable, and inclusive outcomes for all stakeholders. Through these efforts, NatuReS helps to anchor stewardship and resilience principles at the core of water governance in Zambia.