Title: Does the Zambian water sector regulation have pro-poor tools and outcomes?

Authors: Marta Marson; Meine Pieter Van Dijk

Addresses: Department of Economics, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy ' International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University, 3062 PA Rotterdam, Netherlands

Abstract: Zambian regulatory system was set up at the end of the '90s within the reform of the national water sector, based on the commercialisation of water utilities, and market orientation is among its most apparent features. However, data show that, in 13 years, jointly with important efficiency gains Zambian utilities also improved their social performances. We investigate how these pro-poor outcomes were achieved by analysing the regulatory tools, and conclude with a positive evaluation of the regulation system. Nonetheless, we also point to the limitations of pro-poor regulation when there is a shortage of investment finance.

Keywords: performance measurement; benchmarking regulation; command and control regulation; independent regulator; pro-poor service delivery; water supply; sanitation; water tariff; Zambia; water access; drinking water; water regulation; water utilities; social performance; pro-poor outcomes; investment finance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJW.2016.075573

International Journal of Water, 2016 Vol.10 No.2/3, pp.281 - 300

Published online: 28 Mar 2016 *

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