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Nyika-Vwaza Gravity-Fed Piped Water Scheme Commissioned in Malawi-Zambia TFCA
19 November 2025
On 7th August 2025, His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, then President of the Republic of Malawi, accompanied by Her Excellency Madam Ute König, German Ambassador to Malawi officially commissioned the Nyika-Vwaza Gravity-Fed Piped Water Scheme in Rumphi District. Located at Thazima in Nyika National Park, the project was financed by the German Government, implemented by its Development Bank (KfW) as a regional project through the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). The project has been executed by Peace Parks Foundation under the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) initiative, a collaboration between the governments of Malawi and Zambia. The project cost is Eur. 4.6 million.
The scheme directly benefits 18,433 people in Rumphi and Mzimba Districts, with a projected reach of 33,000 by 2045. President Chakwera emphasized the project's importance in sustaining local communities and urged residents to safeguard the infrastructure. He also acknowledged the support of development partners, particularly the German Government.
In her speech, the German Ambassador to Malawi, Her Excellency Madam Ute König highlighted how the initiative addresses long-standing challenges of accessing clean water in communities near Nyika and Vwaza protected areas one of which is the human-wildlife conflict faced by the communities as they fetch water from protected areas especially Vwaza Wildlife Reserve.
The Minister of Tourism, Honourable Dr. Vera Kamtukule, commended the project as a positive example of conservation benefiting local communities. She also commended the partnership that exist between the Malawi Government and Peace Parks Foundation through the signed Co-Management Agreement as a model geared to enhance conservation, tourism and community development in the landscape of Nyika and Vwaza. She further commended the collaboration among government ministries and department such as Ministry of Water and Sanitation, District Councils, local leaders and the communities for working together to deliver this life changing project.
In his remarks, the retired Justice of Appeal Edward Twea SC, Chairperson of the Nyika-Vwaza Co-Management Trust, stressed the need for strong governance and community capacity-building to ensure sustainable management of the water system. Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe also expressed deep gratitude for the completed project which has come as a dream made possible.
The Nyika-Vwaza Gravity-Fed Piped Water Scheme aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict, alleviate water scarcity, and provide reliable access to safe, potable water for communities surrounding Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve.
For more information contact: Matthews Mumba on matthewsmumba@gmail.com
The scheme directly benefits 18,433 people in Rumphi and Mzimba Districts, with a projected reach of 33,000 by 2045. President Chakwera emphasized the project's importance in sustaining local communities and urged residents to safeguard the infrastructure. He also acknowledged the support of development partners, particularly the German Government.
In her speech, the German Ambassador to Malawi, Her Excellency Madam Ute König highlighted how the initiative addresses long-standing challenges of accessing clean water in communities near Nyika and Vwaza protected areas one of which is the human-wildlife conflict faced by the communities as they fetch water from protected areas especially Vwaza Wildlife Reserve.
The Minister of Tourism, Honourable Dr. Vera Kamtukule, commended the project as a positive example of conservation benefiting local communities. She also commended the partnership that exist between the Malawi Government and Peace Parks Foundation through the signed Co-Management Agreement as a model geared to enhance conservation, tourism and community development in the landscape of Nyika and Vwaza. She further commended the collaboration among government ministries and department such as Ministry of Water and Sanitation, District Councils, local leaders and the communities for working together to deliver this life changing project.
In his remarks, the retired Justice of Appeal Edward Twea SC, Chairperson of the Nyika-Vwaza Co-Management Trust, stressed the need for strong governance and community capacity-building to ensure sustainable management of the water system. Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe also expressed deep gratitude for the completed project which has come as a dream made possible.
The Nyika-Vwaza Gravity-Fed Piped Water Scheme aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict, alleviate water scarcity, and provide reliable access to safe, potable water for communities surrounding Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve.
For more information contact: Matthews Mumba on matthewsmumba@gmail.com
