Deep Dive: Mozambique Prime Minister states water and sanitation reform aims for efficiency and equity

Mozambique, a southeastern African nation with a coastline along the Indian Ocean, has long grappled with uneven access to basic services like water and sanitation, rooted in its post-colonial history and civil war legacy from 1977 to 1992 that devastated infrastructure. As a former Portuguese colony independent since 1975, the country faces persistent urban-rural divides, with cities like Maputo benefiting from better services while rural populations in provinces such as Nampula and Zambezia suffer shortages exacerbated by cyclones and droughts. Prime Minister Benvinda Levi's announcement of restructuring reflects the FRELIMO government's strategic push to address these inequities through institutional reforms, aligning with national development plans that prioritize sustainable development goals (SDGs) on clean water and sanitation. Key actors include the Mozambican government under President Filipe Nyusi, international donors like the World Bank and African Development Bank that fund much of the sector's projects, and local utilities managing supply. These reforms aim to streamline operations for efficiency, potentially involving mergers or decentralization to better serve remote areas, amid broader geopolitical interests where water security ties into regional stability in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Insurgencies in Cabo Delgado add complexity, as disrupted services fuel local grievances, making equitable access a tool for countering extremism. Cross-border implications extend to neighbors like South Africa and Malawi, reliant on shared aquifers and migration flows affected by resource scarcity. Globally, improved sanitation in Mozambique reduces disease burdens like cholera outbreaks that have regional health impacts, while efficient water management supports agricultural exports crucial for food security in southern Africa. Stakeholders beyond the region, including EU and Chinese investors in infrastructure, stand to gain from stable reforms, though success hinges on combating corruption and climate resilience. Looking ahead, the outlook depends on implementation; past reforms have faltered due to funding gaps and capacity issues, but this equity focus could enhance social cohesion and economic productivity, positioning Mozambique as a model for least-developed countries balancing growth with inclusion.