WaterAid Tanzania and Farm Africa join forces to strengthen WASH, sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient livelihoods

WaterAid Tanzania and Farm Africa today formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, bringing together their expertise in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and sustainable agriculture to strengthen the resilience and livelihoods of communities across Tanzania.

The partnership recognises the critical connection between access to safe and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services and the ability of rural and farming communities to build productive, sustainable and climate-resilient livelihoods.

Dr David Ojwang, Tanzania Country Director at Farm Africa and Anna Mzinga, Tanzania Country Director at WaterAid, formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

A strategic partnership connecting WASH and livelihoods

WaterAid Tanzania and Farm Africa recognise that access to water, sanitation and hygiene and sustainable agricultural livelihoods are deeply interconnected, particularly for rural communities.

WaterAid Tanzania brings more than four decades of experience in WASH programming, systems strengthening, advocacy and sector engagement.

Farm Africa has worked in Tanzania since 1990 and brings extensive experience working with smallholder farmers and rural enterprises to unlock the potential of sustainable and productive agriculture through technical excellence, evidence-based approaches, inclusive partnerships and innovative solutions.

Farm Africa and WaterAid staff members.

Through the MoU, the two organisations will leverage their respective expertise and experience to accelerate the delivery of water, sanitation, agriculture and livelihood-related programmes and contribute to sustainable development from national to subnational levels.

The partnership has a shared ambition to contribute towards safe, inclusive and sustainable WASH access and sustainable, climate-resilient agricultural livelihoods for Tanzanians by 2030.

WaterAid Tanzania’s 43 years of change and commitment to reach more

Since 1983, WaterAid Tanzania has worked with government, communities, civil society organisations and other partners to improve access to clean water, decent sanitation and good hygiene across Tanzania.

Over 43 years of working in the country, WaterAid Tanzania has directly reached:

• More than 1.9 million people with access to clean and safe water.

• 790,523 people with improved sanitation.

• 4.3 million people with direct hygiene services.

These achievements have helped build a strong foundation of evidence, partnerships and community relationships, while reinforcing WaterAid Tanzania’s commitment to ensuring sustainable and inclusive WASH services reach even more people.

Farm Africa: empowering rural communities in Tanzania since 1990

Farm Africa Tanzania has been operating in Tanzania for more than 35 years with a long-term mandate to support Tanzania’s development and an ambitious vision for driving agricultural growth.

As a locally-registered NGO, it is strategically positioned as an ally of local communities, a friend of farmers and a trusted facilitator between market actors.

The organisation has a deep commitment to supporting rural communities to lift themselves out of poverty through interventions focused on improving production and productivity of crops, improved climate change resilience, empowering communities to manage their natural resources sustainably, and increasing access to profitable markets.

Dr David Ojwang, Tanzania Country Director at Farm Africa and Anna Mzinga, Tanzania Country Director at WaterAid, signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Key areas of the partnership

Through the MoU, WaterAid Tanzania and Farm Africa will collaborate in several areas, including:

• Joint planning, resource mobilisation and implementation of WASH-related programmes and projects, particularly in rural and agricultural contexts where access to water is critical for livelihoods.

• Technical assistance and knowledge exchange, drawing on the respective strengths, expertise and resources of both organisations.

• Coordination and joint oversight of collaborative activities implemented across Tanzania to strengthen sustainability and ownership.

• Promoting transparency and accountability in the management of resources for the benefit of targeted communities.

• Creating platforms for sharing, learning and exchange of good practices with water, sanitation and other development partners.

• Ensuring collaborative activities comply with Tanzanian laws and regulations and the respective codes of conduct and safeguarding policies of both organisations.

The collaboration is expected to provide a stronger platform for exploring integrated approaches that recognise the connections between water security, WASH, agriculture, climate resilience and livelihoods, particularly for rural and farming communities.