The African Development Fund (ADF) has approved a $9.38 million grant to Tanzania to enhance climate resilience in the Mkondoa Catchment, a critical water resource area vulnerable to floods and drought caused by climate change. The grant, approved on 12 December 2025, will finance the Enhancing Climate Resilience on Water Resources in Mkondoa Catchment project through the ADF’s Climate Action Window, aiming to protect communities and infrastructure while improving water security and livelihoods.
The project is expected to directly benefit around 774,000 people in the Gairo, Kilosa, and Mvomero districts. Key interventions include strengthening early warning systems, constructing climate-resilient infrastructure such as dikes and check dams, and restoring 1,200 hectares of degraded watersheds. The initiative will generate approximately 3,500 temporary jobs and 1,000 long-term positions, with a focus on opportunities for women and youth.
Implementation will be carried out by the Wami/Ruvu Basin Water Board under Tanzania’s Ministry of Water, with construction and project works scheduled to begin in January 2026. Expected outcomes include reduced impacts from floods and droughts, improved water availability for households and agriculture, and enhanced institutional capacity for climate adaptation.
The project also aims to improve nutrition, reduce poverty, and support sustainable economic growth in vulnerable communities. Additionally, it will safeguard the strategic Morogoro-Dodoma Road (B-127), an important regional trade corridor. ADF officials emphasized that this initiative represents a strategic investment in Tanzania’s sustainable future by protecting livelihoods, boosting food security, and fostering inclusive economic growth amid climate challenges.
