Tanzania on Friday joined the European Union (EU), France and the European Investment Bank (EIB Global) in launching the Butimba Water Treatment Plant, a facility of the completed works for the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Project (LVWATSAN).
The €150 million project involved the extension and upgrading of the water supply and sanitation systems and safe hygiene practices in the city of Mwanza and the satellite towns of Misungwi, Magu, Lamadi, Bukoba and Musoma. An inauguration ceremony also took place in Lamadi on June 19 in the presence of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
France, through the French Development Agency (AFD), supported the project with a €75 million loan, while the European Investment Bank (EIB Global) provided a loan of EUR 45 million as well as EUR 4 million for technical assistance.
In addition, the European Union provided a €9.9 million grant through the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund to support long-term investment planning for the city of Mwanza and to strengthen the operational and financial capacity of local water and sanitation utilities. Tanzania also contributed €16 million toward the implementation of the project.
A statement by the European Union Delegation in Tanzania said the launch of the Butimba Water Treatment Plant marks “a major milestone in the LVWATSAN project,” significantly improving water and sanitation access in Mwanza and its surrounding areas.
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The facility provides 44,000 cubic meters of treated water per day, benefiting approximately 450,000 people. The project has also enhanced sanitation services for over 150,000 people through a range of solutions, including innovative, simplified sewerage systems tailored to Mwanza’s challenging terrain.
Speaking during the launching ceremony, Anne Sophie, French Ambassador to Tanzania, described the water and sanitation project as “exemplary.” She added: “France and the European Union have worked with the Tanzanian government at bringing clean water to the people for over 20 years. It will make thousands of peoples’ lives better.”
“This project required political will, engineering and a lot of funding,” she added. “We are happy and proud that French companies – SOGEA SATOM and VINCI – and French and European money – 400 bn TZS – contributed to it. Investing in people and children, in their health and safety, is investing for the future, for all of us.”
Celine Robert, AFD Country Director for Tanzania, said she is “extremely proud” of the project, which she thinks will “significantly” improve water services in the area.
“LVWATSAN is a comprehensive program covering not only water production but also network expansion, sanitation services and capacity building for MWAUWASA,” she added. “We are pleased to announce that we are ready to scale up our investment in phase 2 of the program, demonstrating our continued commitment to water and sanitation in the Lake Victoria region.”
The Head of the EIB Regional Hub for East Africa, Edward Claessen, said clean water is essential for life, and the project will improve health outcomes and transform the quality of life of hundreds of thousands of Tanzanians living around Lake Victoria.
“The European Investment Bank is the largest financier of water projects globally and is committed to supporting such crucial investments,” Mr Claessen noted. “We are pleased to have partnered with the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union Delegation in Tanzania and the government of Tanzania, in making this project a reality.”
On her part, EU Ambassador to Tanzania and the East African Community, Christine Grau, said the project is about improving lives—bringing clean water and better sanitation to families in Mwanza and beyond.
“It shows what we can achieve when we work together towards shared goals,” she added. “This is the spirit of Team Europe and the Global Gateway—investing in people, infrastructure, and long-term development. As we mark 50 years of EU-Tanzania partnership, we’re proud to support impactful projects that respond to real needs and build a healthier, more sustainable future for all.”
