WaterAid Tanzania and Farm Africa have formalised a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the resilience, livelihoods and food security of rural and farming communities across Tanzania.
The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bring together their respective expertise in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and sustainable agriculture, recognising the strong connection between water security, agricultural productivity and climate-resilient livelihoods.
The partnership will focus on developing integrated approaches that can help rural communities access sustainable WASH services while improving agricultural production, protecting natural resources and connecting farmers to profitable markets.
“Water connects health, dignity, food security and livelihoods,” said Anna Mzinga, Tanzania Country Director at WaterAid. “When we bring together WaterAid Tanzania’s expertise in WASH with Farm Africa’s experience in sustainable agriculture, we have an opportunity to develop more integrated, resilient and transformative solutions for the communities we serve.”
Under the agreement, the organisations will collaborate on joint planning, resource mobilisation and implementation of WASH-related programmes, particularly in rural and agricultural areas where reliable access to water is critical to livelihoods.
They will also provide technical assistance and facilitate knowledge exchange, coordinate collaborative activities, promote transparency and accountability, and create platforms for sharing good practices with water, sanitation and development partners.
The partnership has a shared ambition of contributing to safe, inclusive and sustainable WASH access and climate-resilient agricultural livelihoods for Tanzanians by 2030.
WaterAid Tanzania brings more than four decades of experience in WASH programming, systems strengthening, advocacy and sector engagement. Since beginning its work in Tanzania in 1983, the organisation says it has directly reached more than 1.9 million people with clean and safe water, 790,523 people with improved sanitation and 4.3 million people with direct hygiene services.
Farm Africa, meanwhile, has operated in Tanzania since 1990, supporting smallholder farmers and rural enterprises to improve production and productivity, strengthen climate resilience, sustainably manage natural resources and access profitable markets.
“Access to water is essential for smallholder farmers to be able to produce food, especially in the face of climate change,” said Dr David Ojwang, Tanzania Country Director at Farm Africa. “Improved sanitation and hygiene are key to improving food security and good nutrition.”
He added that combining WaterAid’s WASH expertise with Farm Africa’s work in agricultural practices, environmental protection and market access could enable more rural communities to thrive.
The partnership comes as Tanzania’s rural communities face growing pressure from climate change and the need to improve agricultural productivity while safeguarding natural resources.
By linking WASH interventions with agricultural and livelihood programmes, the two organisations expect to strengthen community ownership and sustainability while addressing challenges that are often treated separately.
The collaboration will also involve joint oversight of activities, compliance with Tanzanian laws and regulations, and adherence to the organisations’ respective safeguarding and codes of conduct.
The agreement therefore provides a platform for WaterAid Tanzania and Farm Africa to expand cooperation at national and subnational levels while exploring practical solutions that place water security, health, agriculture and livelihoods at the centre of rural development.
