Malawi Peri-Urban Sanitation Project Report

In 2013, USAID in Malawi tasked the SHOPS project with engaging with the private sector to improve the poor sanitation conditions in peri-urban areas of Malawi. An increasing population density in these areas continues to stress the sanitation infrastructure, which is comprised of mainly shared and traditional latrines. A SHOPS sanitation market assessment in late 2013 identified the cost of currently marketed improved latrines as a major barrier to the transition from unimproved to improved latrines.To encourage residents of peri-urban areas to transition from shared and traditional latrines and increase the market segment for improved latrines, SHOPS initiated an activity, the Malawi Peri-Urban Sanitation project, which aimed to introduce a more affordable improved latrine. This report provides an overview of the activity and its design, lessons learned, and marketing recommendations.