Water Governance in Small Towns in Sub-Saharan Africa
2025
Happiness, Mlula
Domestic Water sector reforms in the Global South aim to improve access and governance, yet research has largely overlooked small towns, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing instead on urban and rural contexts. This study examines the role of local actors and the institutional dynamics that shape domestic water governance in small towns, using Kabuku as a case study in Tanzania’s Tanga region. Four key aspects are examined: identifying contextual drivers that constrain or enable domestic water governance; analysing the roles of existing local actors in facilitating governance practices; assessing prevailing institutional dynamics; and proposing planning policy interventions to strengthen the role of local actors. Data collection methods include literature review, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. The study finds that domestic water governance in Kabuku is influenced by factors such as hydrological conditions, varied water sources, and uneven service access between central and peripheral areas. Domestic water Governance operates through a mix of formal and informal actors, but faces institutional challenges including weak regulation, poor coordination, fragile partnerships, limited capacity-building, resource constraints, and gender inequality. The study recommends coalition-building among local actors to foster co-production in domestic water provisioning and governance. Local actors should be empowered to contribute resources and engage actively, supported by stronger enforcement of community-based regulatory frameworks.
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