WATER AND POVERTY LINKAGES IN AFRICA: TANZANIA CASE STUDY

The document examines Tanzania's water-poverty nexus, highlighting a significant 'implementation gap' where progressive policies on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and decentralization are hindered by limited institutional and financial capacity. It emphasizes the critical role of rainfed agriculture, which supports the majority of the poor, and the need to integrate 'green water' flows into management strategies. The report also notes severe challenges in sanitation coverage and the conflict between hydropower and irrigation needs in major river basins.

• Rainfed agriculture is the dominant farming system, with 99% of production being rainfed, making it the most critical sector for climate change adaptation and poverty reduction.
• There is a sharp conflict between water use for hydropower and agriculture in the Pangani and Rufiji river basins, as upstream irrigation reduces flows to dams.
• Sanitation is largely neglected in national planning and budget allocations, with funding and institutional commitment falling far below the levels required to meet targets.
• The Arusha Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (AWASA) has implemented a pro-poor block tariff system that charges the lowest rates to communal users and provides free water to disadvantaged households.
• Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Tanzania often neglects 'green water' (rainwater used by plants), which is essential for the livelihoods of the rural poor who depend on rainfed systems.
• Tourism is a rapidly growing sector that depends on the maintenance of water-dependent ecosystems and wildlife habitats, creating a link between environmental water management and economic growth.

APA

Noel, S., Soussan, J., & Barron, J. (n.d.). WATER AND POVERTY LINKAGES IN AFRICA: TANZANIA CASE STUDY. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Water-sanitation/AfDB-Water-and-Poverty-Tanzania-FINAL.pdf

Chicago

Noel, Stacey, John Soussan, and Jennie Barron. WATER AND POVERTY LINKAGES IN AFRICA: TANZANIA CASE STUDY. Stockholm Environment Institute, n.d. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Water-sanitation/AfDB-Water-and-Poverty-Tanzania-FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Noel |first1=Stacey |last2=Soussan |first2=John |last3=Barron |first3=Jennie |title=WATER AND POVERTY LINKAGES IN AFRICA: TANZANIA CASE STUDY |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Water-sanitation/AfDB-Water-and-Poverty-Tanzania-FINAL.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{noelndwater, author = {Noel, Stacey and Soussan, John and Barron, Jennie}, title = {{WATER AND POVERTY LINKAGES IN AFRICA: TANZANIA CASE STUDY}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Water-sanitation/AfDB-Water-and-Poverty-Tanzania-FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }