Water and Sanitation for Urban Populations (WSUP) has appointed Fátima Mussá as the new Country Manager for Mozambique.
A Civil Engineer with a Bachelor from Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique and a Master of Science in Water Science and Engineering from IHE Delft in the Netherlands, Fátima has dedicated her career to water resource management, hydrology, and water and sanitation infrastructure development. Her extensive experience in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects, combined with her role as a lecturer and researcher at Eduardo Mondlane University, has positioned her as a thought leader in the Mozambique sector.
Fátima has been instrumental in driving systemic change in Mozambique’s water and sanitation sector, working closely with key regulatory bodies such as Autoridade Reguladora de Água (AURA) and Fundo de Investimento e Património do Abastecimento de Água (FIPAG).
Through her leadership of the experienced and enthusiastic country team in Mozambique, WSUP has contributed to the implementation of the sanitation regulatory framework, which includes a city-level sanitation surcharge to finance critical infrastructure improvements. Her expertise and network in both the public and private sectors have strengthened WSUP’s role as a key technical partner for sustainable WASH development in Mozambique.
WSUP Mozambique – which is marking its 11th anniversary – has impacted 2.9 million urban residents with key achievements, including:
- Improved water supply: Ensuring access to safe and reliable drinking water for over 1.5 million individuals.
- Sanitation enhancements: Supporting sanitation improvements for 170,000 people, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases.
- Hygiene education: Educating over 1.1 million individuals on hygiene practices, fostering behaviour change for better health outcomes.
WSUP’s work spans several towns, including Maputo, Beira, and Nampula combining direct service delivery, capacity building for utilities and policy advocacy to create sustainable WASH solutions.
As WSUP Mozambique enters its next decade, Fátima is committed to scaling up impactful solutions, focusing on:
- School sanitation improvements: Partnering with Maputo’s municipal authority to achieve universal WASH access in schools by 2030.
- Sustainable sanitation services: Expanding affordable and accessible pit-emptying services for low-income communities.
- Climate-resilient WASH solutions: Strengthening urban WASH systems to withstand climate change challenges.
Fátima expressed her excitement about leading WSUP Mozambique into its next phase of impact.
“I am honoured to take on this leadership role at such a crucial time for WSUP Mozambique. Over the past 11 years, we have demonstrated that sustainable urban WASH solutions are possible through collaboration, innovation, and commitment. I hope to inspire more women to lead in this sector and drive meaningful change for urban communities across Mozambique,” said Fátima.
Mozambique faces significant challenges as one of the world’s most economically disadvantaged nations. Rapid population growth and urbanization have spurred the expansion of informal settlements around towns and cities. In Greater Maputo, home to approximately 2.5 million people, around 70% of residents live in informal settlements. These communities often grapple with limited access to clean, affordable water and adequate sanitation, increasing the risk of water-borne diseases.
While progress has been made in improving access to safe water, sanitation remains a critical issue. Additionally, water service providers are working to address high levels of water loss, which hinders efficient service delivery. Despite these challenges, there are opportunities to drive meaningful change and improve living conditions for urban populations through targeted interventions and partnerships.