Regional Project Africa: improve basic sanitation, design liveable and inclusive cities

Rapid urbanisation and population growth in African cities continue to place immense pressure on basic public services, particularly sanitation and waste management. Vulnerable communities, especially women and children, often lack access to safe and inclusive sanitation, which not only impacts public health but also hinders social cohesion, gender equality, and climate resilience. Addressing these urgent needs requires innovative, decentralised solutions and strengthened local capacities to ensure sustainable urban development.

In response to these challenges, the Regional Project Africa—funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by BORDA (Bremen Overseas Research & Development Association)—sought to improve basic sanitation and design liveable, inclusive cities across ten urban communities in Tanzania (Zanzibar, Korogwe), Zambia (Lusaka, Choma), Mali (Bamako, Ségou, Bougouni), and South Africa (Durban). Since 2016, the project worked to empower local and national actors to deliver decentralised sanitation services, thereby strengthening social structures and supporting disadvantaged groups. The project benefited not only direct recipients within vulnerable urban areas but also municipal authorities, educational institutions, specialist agencies, and civil society organisations, fostering broad-based, sustainable impact.

adelphi was commissioned to conduct an independent external evaluation of the project’s third phase (2022–2024). adelphi’s role included a thorough review of the project’s theory of change, on-site fieldwork in all four countries, and rigorous qualitative and quantitative analysis in line with OECD-DAC criteria, with a strong emphasis on gender, social inclusion, and climate resilience. Through a participatory approach and multi-method evaluation—including stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and site inspections—adelphi provided actionable insights and recommendations. These findings and lessons learned now serve to inform future strategies for effective, equitable, and climate-resilient sanitation solutions across Africa.