22/07/2026
NWASCO hosts Malian delegation on Study Visit to Appreciate Zambia’s Sanitation Regulatory Experience
The National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) today hosted a seven-member delegation from Mali Sanya, a GIZ-supported programme in Mali dedicated to the management of solid waste, wastewater and faecal sludge.
The delegation, which is in Zambia on a study visit from 21st to 31st July, 2026, comprises four representatives from Mali’s Ministry of Environment, Sanitation and Sustainable Development (MEADD), national technical institutions, civil society, and the Association of Sludge Emptying Operators, as well as three members of staff from the Mali Sanya programme.
The study visit aims to enable the delegation to learn from Zambia’s experience in sanitation regulation and use the knowledge gained to support the development of a regulatory framework tailored to the Malian context.
During their visit, the delegation, hosted by GIZ, will gain insights into Zambia’s legal and institutional framework for sanitation regulation.
The programme will include learning about NWASCO’s organisational structure, regulatory instruments, performance monitoring systems, and institutional independence, as well as broader approaches to regulating water supply and sanitation services.
Speaking when he officially received the delegation yesterday, NWASCO Director Eng. Kelvin Chitumbo welcomed the members and underscored the value of study visits and knowledge exchange in advancing sustainable water and sanitation services across Africa.
Further, Eng. Chitumbo, today, delivered a presentation outlining Zambia’s water sector reforms, NWASCO’s regulatory mandate and mission, its strategic focus as an independent regulator, key achievements, and the challenges facing the sector, while highlighting the Council’s ongoing priorities to improve service delivery.
Other presentations from NWASCO highlighted the Council’s licensing, monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, tariff setting for water and sanitation, as well as performance benchmarking used in its regulation of Commercial Utilities.
Meanwhile, the delegation, yesterday visited the Matero Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant, where they observed its operations and learned about Zambia’s approaches to faecal sludge management and sanitation service delivery.
The delegation includes Mr. Issa sissoko – Director, Mali Sanya/GIZ Mali Programme, Mr. Semou N'diaye – Head of Component 1, Institutional Capacity Building, Mali Sanya/GIZ Mali Programme, Mr. Eric Kibet – IT Digitalization Specialist, Mali Sanya/GIZ Mali Programme(Translator), Mr. Drissa Traore – Technical Adviser to the Minister, Ministry of Environment, Sanitation and Sustainable Development (MEADD), Mr. Abdoul Aziz Attaher Dicko – Head of Studies, Planning and Statistics Department (DEPS), National Directorate of Sanitation, Pollution and Nuisance Control (DNACPN), Mr. Mahamar Maiga – Head of Studies and Planning Department (DEP), National Agency for the Management of Wastewater Treatment Plants of Mali (ANGESEM), and Mr. Boureïma Tabalaba – Director, National Coalition of the International Campaign for Drinking Water and Sanitation (CN-CIEPA/WASH) and SWA National Focal Point.
Here are some picture highlights of the interactions and activities in the last 2 days…