In 2010, UNDP’s Poverty Group and Environment and Energy Group launched a joint project to examine to what extent the domestic private sector in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) contributes to achieving the target for access to safe water under MDG7. The project carried out in-depth case studies of three countries: Kenya [1], Tanzania [2] and Uganda [3]. The studies are based on household and provider surveys as well as interviews with government officials and other stakeholders. Additional studies are planned for 2011, covering Angola, Burkina Faso, Mozambique and Senegal.
The findings of the case studies so far are that small-scale private providers increase water supply coverage and reduce time spent on fetching water, often providing a vital service, particularly for low-income households. However, in the absence of a coherent policy framework with effective tariff enforcement and water quality monitoring, small-scale providers often deliver services that are very costly and of varying quality.
[1] Small-Scale Private Water Providers in Kenya: Pioneers or Predators? By Degol Hailu, Sara Rendtorff-Smith and Raquel Tsukada
[2] Services and Supply Chains: The Role of Informal Water Vendors in Dar es Salaam By Kate Bayliss and Rehema Tukai
[3] The Role of the Domestic Private Sector in the Delivery of Urban Water in Uganda: Contracts for Small Towns By Kate Bayliss and Sam Kuloba Watasa
To obtain copies of the case studies please contact:
Sara Rendtorff-Smith by e-mail: sara.rendtorff-smith@undp.org or by telephone: +1 212 906 6371.
Related web page: UNDP – Water Supply and Sanitation
Source: UNDP (2011). Urban water provision in sub-Saharan Africa: the role of the domestic private sector in accelerating MDG progress. (Issue brief, 15 Mar 2011). 2 p. Download full brief
