Zimbabwe National Water Authority

What Zimbabwe National Water Authority does

Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) is a state-owned enterprise established in 2000 under the ZINWA Act (Chapter 20:25) and operating under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. The authority holds a statutory monopoly on raw water management from Zimbabwe's state-owned dams and provides water supply, abstraction licensing, and bulk water regulatory services across seven catchment areas (Gwayi, Manyame, Mazowe, Mzingwane, Runde, Sanyati, Save), managing a footprint of 154 monitored dams at a national average capacity of approximately 90%. Its mandate, derived from both the ZINWA Act and the Water Act (Chapter 20:24), covers water resources planning, dam infrastructure development, irrigation scheme management, and equitable distribution across agricultural, industrial, mining, and domestic users.

ZINWA's core product is treated and raw water supply, priced through tiered volumetric tariffs that differentiate by customer category (domestic tariffs range USD 1.04-2.15 per 1,000 litres; business USD 1.52-2.77; industrial flat rate USD 2.77; raw water abstraction ranges USD 2.15-80.00 per million litres depending on use, with mines at the top of the curve). Beyond core tariffs, ZINWA monetizes through bulk water trucking licenses (384 trucks from 200+ licensed companies), commercial lakeshore leases at major dams (USD 5,775 per hectare annually), one-time connection and reconnection fees, water quality analysis services, and periodic asset disposal auctions across six locations. Strategic Plan 2026-2030 targets core business revenue growth from a 2025 baseline of USD 83.7M to USD 96.4M by 2030, alongside 496,000 hectares under irrigation and 100% WASH coverage.

Distribution is decentralized across seven regional catchment headquarters supported by digital self-service channels, including the Donhodzo WhatsApp AI assistant, mobile money integrations (EcoCash, OneMoney, CBZ Touch, Smile Cash), and bank transfer options. Infrastructure development is a material growth driver, with 12 dam construction projects underway and a USD 3.00B infrastructure development budget through 2030. The authority employs 2,517 personnel (20 top management, 179 middle management, 440 supervisory, 1,878 operational) and is governed by a board chaired by Eng. Bongile Ndiweni with Eng. Taurai Maurikira as Chief Executive Officer.

Name

Zimbabwe National Water Authority

Legal name

Zimbabwe National Water Authority

Website

https://zinwa.co.zw

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Zimbabwe National Water Authority is a state-owned enterprise that holds statutory monopoly over raw water management from 154 state dams across seven catchment areas, supplying treated water, abstraction licenses, bulk water permits, and lakeshore leases to domestic, agricultural, industrial, mining, and government customers in Zimbabwe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Utility Services

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water & Wastewater Utility IoT (SCADA, Leak/Quality Monitoring) (EUADAPAK), Water-Smart Irrigation & Water Stewardship (Drip/Micro, Scheduling, Water Harvesting) (AFAGAMAD)

Keywords

• Water utility services
• Raw water abstraction
• Bulk water licensing
• Water resources management
• Irrigation water supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Harare

HQ country

Zimbabwe

HQ region

Africa

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Water Supply Tariffs: Tiered volumetric pricing for treated water based on customer category (domestic, government, business, industrial, institutional). Domestic tariffs range from USD 1.04-2.15 per 1000 litres depending on consumption band. Business tariffs USD 1.52-2.77 per 1000 litres. Flat rate for industry at USD 2.77 per 1000 litres.
2. Raw Water Abstraction Fees: Fees charged for raw water abstraction from state-owned dams. Industry pays USD 14.35/million litres, Commercial Agriculture Estates USD 19.37/million litres, Mines USD 80.00/million litres, Communal USD 2.15/million litres.
3. Service Fees and Charges: Connection fees, reconnection fees, sewer charges, security deposits, and professional fees for water quality analysis. New connection standard fee USD 20, reconnection fees USD 15-100 depending on category.
4. Bulk Water Licenses: Licensing fees for bulk water truck operators. 384 registered trucks from 200+ companies operating under ZINWA permits. Compliance enforced through annual license renewal requirements.
5. Lakeshore Leasing: Commercial leases for waterfront development at major dams including Mutirikwi, Tugwi-Mukosi, Darwendale. Annual rent USD 5,775 per hectare with USD 3,000 refundable deposit. Investment opportunities include hospitality, recreation, and tourism facilities.
6. Asset Disposal Auctions: Periodic auction of surplus assets including vehicles, machinery, and office equipment. 400+ assets available across 6 auction locations with transparent bidding process.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ZINWA is a state-owned water utility managing Zimbabwe's water resources across seven hydrological catchment areas with 154 monitored dams. The authority provides treated water supply to domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, mining, and government customers; issues bulk water licenses and certificates to licensed trucking operators; negotiates raw water abstraction agreements securing water allocations; and offers commercial lakeshore leasing for waterfront development at major dams including Mutirikwi, Tugwi-Mukosi, and Darwendale.

Product overview

Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) operates as a state-owned water utility providing an integrated suite of water resource management and distribution services. The core offering is water supply services across seven hydrological catchments (Gwayi, Manyame, Mazowe, Mzingwane, Runde, Sanyati, Save) managing 154 dams. The portfolio includes the Dam Levels Intelligence Platform providing real-time water monitoring, Bulk Water Licenses for regulatory compliance, Water Abstraction Agreements for raw water allocation, and Lakeshore Leasing for commercial waterfront development. Digital add-on modules include the Donhodzo WhatsApp AI assistant, Online Payment Services (EcoCash, OneMoney, CBZ Touch, Smile Cash), Prepaid Water Meters, and New Connection Services. Infrastructure services include Leak Reporting, Water Quality Analysis, ZINWA Auction for asset disposal, and Strategic Dam Construction Projects. The company operates under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, established in 2000 under the ZINWA Act (Chapter 20:25).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Water Supply Services Core treated water distribution and supply service providing treated water to domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, mining, and government customers across Zimbabwe's seven catchment areas. Tariffs range from USD 1.04-2.15 per 1000 litres for domestic customers and USD 1.52-2.77 for business customers depending on consumption band.
• Bulk Water Licenses and Certificates Licensing and regulatory service for bulk water operators operating under Statutory Instrument 90 of 2013 (Water Permits Amendment Regulations). Issues certificates and licenses to companies and dealers transporting and selling bulk water, with annual license renewal requirements and compliance monitoring.
• Water Abstraction Agreement Formal contract service for raw water allocation from ZINWA-managed dams and state-owned reservoirs as required by Statutory Instrument 206 of 2001. Ensures sustainable, equitable distribution compliant with Water Act requirements for commercial farming, irrigation, industrial, mining, and community water schemes.
• Lakeshore Leasing Commercial waterfront property leasing service offering long-term development opportunities at 15+ dams across Zimbabwe including Darwendale, Osborne, Mutirikwi, and Tugwi-Mukosi. Annual rent USD 5,775 per hectare with USD 3,000 refundable deposit, supporting tourism, hospitality, recreation, and conferencing facilities.
• ZINWA Auction Premium asset disposal auction service offering vehicles, machinery, and office equipment through transparent, audited disposal process across six nationwide locations with 400+ assets available for competitive bidding.
• New Connection Service Online application service for new water connections with downloadable forms for residential, commercial, and agricultural connections. Express processing within 3-5 business days with standard connection fee of USD 20 and special connection fee of USD 5 per meter.
• Prepaid Water Meters Prepaid water metering system allowing customers budget control over water consumption. Supports token purchases via EcoCash and Smile Cash platforms with Lapis and Satewave meter variants available for domestic and commercial customers.
• Water Quality Analysis Services Professional water quality testing service including bacteriological analysis (USD 25 within 10km radius) and chemical analysis (USD 55 within 20km radius) for compliance verification and safety assurance. Also includes Environmental Impact Assessment public consultation services at USD 250.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91.9% national dam levels enabling 140,500 ha winter cropping target
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Ministry of Lands Agriculture Fisheries Water and Rural DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026ZINWA operates under the parent ministry which sets national water policy and development priorities. The authority aligns its strategic plan with Ministry goals including 100% WASH coverage by 2030, 496,000 hectares under irrigation, and National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) objectives.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• SA Water: Government-owned water utility serving South Australia with full water cycle services including supply, wastewater, and irrigation. Comparable to ZINWA as a state-owned water authority with statutory mandate, large dam infrastructure, and tiered customer segments spanning domestic to industrial.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/zinwawater
• Xx.com/zinwawater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zimbabwe-national-water-authority-zinwa

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zimbabwe National Water Authority