Initiative launched to restore water security in Tanzania

The The Coca-Cola Company has committed USD 1.94 million to a new water security initiative in Tanzania, positioning the investment as part of a broader effort to support vulnerable communities facing growing water scarcity.

Announced on March 25, 2026, in Morogoro, the initiative will focus on restoring the Ruvu Basin, a critical water source that sustains millions of people across eastern Tanzania.

The basin supplies water to Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial capital, and supports surrounding rural communities whose livelihoods depend heavily on reliable access to water.

Framed as a community-centred intervention, the project seeks to improve water availability through nature-based solutions, while also strengthening local capacity for sustainable water management.

The focus area, the Ngerengere catchment within the Ruvu sub-basin, has experienced environmental degradation and increasing pressure from both climate change and population growth.

Implementation will be led by Global Water Challenge in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Wami-Ruvu Basin Water Board, reflecting a multi-stakeholder approach aimed at delivering tangible benefits at community level.

At least 2,000 farmers are expected to benefit directly through the adoption of more climate-resilient livelihood practices, alongside interventions such as tree planting and catchment restoration.

These efforts are designed not only to rehabilitate ecosystems but also to improve household resilience in areas where water insecurity increasingly threatens food production and income.

Speaking at the launch, Alfred Olajide, Vice President for Franchise Operations in East and Central Africa at Coca-Cola, underscored the urgency of addressing water scarcity as a shared global challenge.

“The world is experiencing increased water insecurity, which is evident through water scarcity, with demands for safe, usable water exceeding supply in certain areas and scarcity challenges forecast to increase in the future. The Coca-Cola system intends to continue focusing on promoting water stewardship, increasing water use efficiency, and treating and returning safe water to communities,” he said.

His remarks point to a widening recognition within the private sector of the need to contribute to solutions that extend beyond business operations and into the wellbeing of communities.

The investment forms part of Coca-Cola’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative, a nearly USD 25 million programme launched in 2024 to address water challenges in 20 African countries by 2030.

While the initiative aligns with broader sustainability goals, its emphasis in Tanzania highlights the company’s growing engagement in development-oriented partnerships.

David Chait, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Kwanza, reinforced this perspective, framing the initiative as part of the company’s responsibility to support areas facing acute water stress.

“As part of the Coca-Cola Beverages Africa group, we have a responsibility to assist those who face water scarcity and to help protect local water resources where we operate, especially in places with the biggest challenges. The Coca-Cola system’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative aims to help protect and enhance the health of important watersheds and to improve access to water and sanitation services in local communities,” he said.

For conservation partners, the project represents an opportunity to combine environmental restoration with social impact.

Charles Oluchina, Country Representative for IUCN Tanzania, said the initiative is designed to deliver both ecological and livelihood benefits.

“We are proud to be the implementing partner, alongside WRBWB, for this project. This initiative is aimed at helping to protect and restore the Ruvu sub-basin focusing on Ngerengere catchment through nature-based solutions and improving water security and livelihoods for communities,” he said.

The Ruvu Basin has long faced pressures from deforestation, land degradation and increasing demand for water, challenges that have been intensified by rapid urban growth and climate variability.

For many communities, declining water availability has translated into reduced agricultural productivity and heightened vulnerability.

By investing in restoration and community-based solutions, the Coca-Cola system is contributing to efforts aimed at safeguarding a shared natural resource while supporting those most affected by its decline.

“Recognising that partnerships are critical to support this work, Coca-Cola and its authorized bottlers are collaborating with governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to design and implement strategic interventions for a better shared future,” Olajide added.

As water insecurity continues to emerge as a defining development challenge, initiatives such as the Ruvu Basin restoration highlight the role that corporate-backed, partnership-driven efforts can play in advancing both environmental sustainability and community wellbeing.

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