The Government of Tanzania has announced that it is continuing with the implementation of the National Water Grid, a large project aimed at making clean and safe water available to people across the country, especially in areas that face shortages.
This plan was explained by the Minister for Water, Jumaa Aweso (MP), as he presented the Ministry's 2025/26 budget in Parliament in Dodoma.
He said the National Water Grid will connect big water sources such as lakes, large rivers, and dams through a network of large water pipes. The pipes will carry water to places where clean water is not easily available.
“We are building an industrial Tanzania with a strong economy. But we can’t do that without a reliable national water system,” said Minister Aweso.
The National Water Grid, according to him, is a historic project that will help both people and the economy, now and in the future.
Minister Aweso said the government has already started work on some key projects that are part of the National Water Grid.
One of them is the Nyumba ya Mungu Dam project, which is now providing water to the districts of Same, Mwanga, and Korogwe.
Another large project uses water from Lake Victoria to supply towns including Kahama, Shinyanga, Tinde, Nzega, Tabora, Igunga, and Shelui. This shows how the government is moving fast to reach more people with clean water.
“These projects show our commitment. We are using our natural water sources to reach communities that have been suffering for too long,” the Minister explained.
The government is now carrying out a detailed study for a new project that will bring water from Lake Victoria to Dodoma, Tanzania’s capital city. This will ensure enough water for people, factories, and institutions in the growing city.
In addition, the government is planning another project to take water from Lake Tanganyika to the regions of Katavi, Rukwa, and Kigoma.
The areas are close to the lake but still face water problems. The project will begin after the hiring of a consultant who will design the system.
“We must stop letting distance decide who gets water. Every Tanzanian has the right to clean water,” said Aweso.
One of the main goals of the National Water Grid is to protect the country during dry seasons and natural disasters. It will also support farming, industries, and social services like schools and hospitals.
This plan is part of the government’s long-term vision to build a strong and self-reliant country. The water grid will reduce the country’s dependence on small, short-term water projects that often fail after a few years.
“The National Water Grid is more than just pipes. It is a smart system that will bring fairness, safety, and growth to every part of Tanzania,” said the Minister.
This water plan fits closely with the goals of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, which wants water to become a strong foundation for national development.
It also shows how the government is preparing the country to deal with climate change.
The Minister said the government will continue to design more water projects and link them to the grid. This will ensure no region is left behind.
“The National Water Grid is already becoming a reality. We want every Tanzanian, no matter where they live, to enjoy the benefits of clean and safe water,” said Aweso.
With the National Water Grid, Tanzania is taking a big step toward a future where clean water is a right and not a privilege.
