Solar-Powered water project benefits two Dar es Salaam primary schools

DAR ES SALAAM: BRITAM Insurance Limited (Tanzania) has invested TZS 40 million in a clean water initiative targeting two primary schools in Dar es Salaam, as part of efforts to expand climate-resilient infrastructure and improve access to safe water in public institutions.

The project, implemented in partnership with engineering firm Davis & Shirtliff, has installed solar-powered water pumping systems at Uhuru Mchanganyiko Primary School in Ilala and Mshikamano Primary School in Kivule. As part of the environmental initiative, tree planting activities were also conducted at Mshikamano Primary School to support climate conservation efforts and create a greener learning environment.

Britam Chief Executive Officer, Farai Dogo stated “the initiative is designed to address both social and environmental challenges, while reducing dependence on electricity in areas where power supply is limited or unreliable.“

Leoncia Makubo, Marketing Manager at Britam said the systems were completed following a feasibility study carried out between in May 2025, which assessed water access gaps across several schools before selecting the two beneficiaries.

“This investment reflects our strategy to empower communities through sustainable solutions that also support environmental protection,” Dogo said during the project launch.

The solar-powered systems are expected to benefit more than 10,000 people, including pupils, teachers and the surrounding community, by improving access to clean and reliable water, according to the company.

At Mshikamano Primary School, the project is expected to support daily school operations, including food preparation for nursery pupils, while also improving hygiene conditions. The tree planting exercise carried out at the school further reinforces environmental awareness among pupils and contributes to long-term sustainability efforts.

At Uhuru Mchanganyiko Primary School, officials highlighted benefits for inclusive education, including better access for pupils with disabilities.

Dogo expressed that “the use of solar pumping technology would help reduce carbon emissions and lower operational costs compared with diesel or grid-powered systems, aligning with broader climate adaptation goals.”

The initiative is part of Britam’s wider corporate social responsibility programme.
Between 2024 and 2025, the Britam has supported more than 70 schools with water access projects, helped plant more than 95,000 trees and reached more than 90,000 people across East Africa through water, education and environmental initiatives.

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The company also aims to plant 6 million trees in Tanzania by 2030 as part of Britam Group’s broader target of planting 60 million trees across the region and its subsidiaries.

Davis & Shirtliff, which supplied and installed the pumping equipment, said the systems were designed for long-term durability and minimal maintenance, particularly in off-grid or low-energy environments.