East African Community Deputy Secretary General, Dr Andrea Malueth, speaks during a meeting organised by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), under the East African Community, at the Tanzania Pavilion on November 13, 2026. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.
By Habitat Media Reporter
Antalya, Türkiye, Tanzania has emphasised the need for international climate finance funds to facilitate the mobilisation of Sh317 billion required to implement water projects drawing from Lake Victoria.
The funding is expected to support various water projects at different stages of implementation, including those in Simiyu, Mara and Kagera regions, as well as the second phase of the Butimba Water Treatment Plant in Mwanza.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water, Rose Ambrose, made the remarks on November 13, 2026, during a meeting organised by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), under the East African Community (EAC), on the sidelines of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31).
She stressed the importance of climate finance funds fulfilling their commitments to Tanzania to facilitate the implementation of the projects.
Ambrose cited the second phase of the Butimba Water Treatment Plant in Mwanza, which serves approximately 450,000 people, as one of the projects requiring support.
She said the projects were important for improving people’s livelihoods and protecting available natural resources.
Ambrose said Tanzania recognises the protection of Lake Victoria’s resources as a key pillar in advancing water security, which is among the country’s development priorities outlined in the National Development Vision 2050.
She added that Tanzania would continue working with LVBC member states to strengthen the management of resources in Lake Victoria, which serves approximately 45 million people.
For his part, EAC Deputy Secretary General Dr Andrea Malueth stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with international financial institutions to increase investment and financing for development projects across the region.
He said the EAC would ensure the implementation of the LVBC strategic plan, which focuses on ecosystem restoration, climate-resilient infrastructure, competitive value chains and strengthening institutional systems.
“The strategy has clearly outlined financing requirements of $8 billion. This provides an opportunity to identify national priorities and regional development aspirations while promoting resource management towards shared outcomes and development among partner states,” Dr Malueth said.
Tanzania is using the COP31 platform to strengthen international climate diplomacy and explore opportunities for financing, research, technology and capacity-building for experts.
The country’s theme at the conference is: Tanzania’s Inclusive Climate Action for Vision 2050: Building a Resilient Green and Prosperous Nation.