Programme description

Title: Support to the water sector reform
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Planning
Overall term: 2006 to 2016

Context

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the most water-rich countries in the world. Nevertheless, only one in four Congolese has access to clean drinking water, and no more than one in five benefits from adequate sanitation facilities. These figures are significantly lower than the regional average for sub-Saharan Africa, where 60 % of people have access to clean water and 30 % to sanitation.

The DRC does not have an appropriate legal framework in the water sector to remedy this situation. It also lacks coordinated planning, functional state institutions, efficient water providers and well-qualified personnel.

Water is a priority area of German development cooperation in the DRC. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the project is supporting the Congolese Government in reforming its water sector as part of a joint programme with KfW Entwicklungsbank, which is renovating and expanding the drinking water supply and sanitation infrastructure in 15 towns and cities.

Objective

Sustainable water sector reform finds acceptance among all the relevant stakeholders. Water supply and sanitation services have improved.

Approach

The project supports technically sound and sustainable reforms to the water sector. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ provides inputs to the overall programme with respect to improving the political and institutional conditions affecting the sector and promoting more efficient water provision. This ensures the sustainability of the investments of the many donors in the water sector.

GIZ provides advice to support the Congolese water sector reforms. It promotes a policy dialogue between the various institutions involved, as well as strategic, sectoral and technical advice aimed at introducing sustainable solutions for the sector. It is also using targeted capacity development measures to help strengthen the problem-solving and professional skills of the Congolese partners and institutions.

The project is assisting the Congolese Government in:

• steering and implementing the reform of the water sector
• establishing a clear legal and institutional framework for the sector
• promoting policy dialogue between the institutions in the water sector
• strengthening personnel and institutional skills, resources and efficiency.

Results achieved so far

With its experience and expertise, German development cooperation can significantly influence policy-makers in the water sector in the DRC. The project enjoys the support of other donors in the DRC and can point to initial successes. In September 2010, a comprehensive water management law that meets national development goals was drawn up in cooperation with all relevant institutions and adopted jointly by them as the culmination of a national working meeting. The new water legislation takes account of decentralisation and other public sector reforms. It is a groundbreaking document that will determine the future course of reform.

Download

• Water Issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo (UNEP 2011)
  Challenges and Opportunities. Technical Report
  en-water-issues-congo-dr-unep-2011.pdf, 6.64 MB (English)