Rand Water has secured a ten-year partnership with the Zanzibar Water Authority (ZAWA), bolstering the company’s financial stability and expanding its operational footprint across Africa.
Under the terms of the Management, Operations, and Maintenance (MOM) contract, Rand Water will provide technical support, infrastructure management, and operational improvements to ZAWA, focusing on the sustainability and reliability of Zanzibar’s water supply system. The contract, which is a paid service, is expected to generate significant revenue for Rand Water while helping to elevate water services in Zanzibar.
Notably, the partnership does not involve the supply of water from South Africa to Zanzibar. Instead, the focus is strictly on technical and operational support, aimed at optimising Zanzibar’s water production, transmission, and distribution systems, as well as rehabilitating critical infrastructure. Rand Water will also help build local technical skills and institutional capacity within ZAWA.
Rand Water remains committed to its core mission of providing reliable bulk water services in South Africa. According to the company, this international project will not impact its primary obligations in the South African market, and all activities in Zanzibar are classified as secondary to its domestic responsibilities.
The project, which involves an investment of approximately R800 million (approximately $US 50 million), is expected to improve water sustainability and accessibility in Zanzibar while enhancing operational excellence for both Rand Water and ZAWA.
Rand Water has emphasized that the revenue generated from the Zanzibar contract will further strengthen its financial position, enabling the company to continue investing in its operations in South Africa. Additionally, the project provides valuable exposure to new challenges, fostering a skilled workforce and helping to refine technologies that will benefit both South African municipalities and Rand Water’s broader operations.
This initiative also supports Rand Water's growth strategy through the revitalization of Rand Water Services, a subsidiary aimed at supporting domestic water services in line with municipal regulations.
