Water Access Rwanda
Affordable, solar-powered, piped clean water mini-grids.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | €0.0 | round | |
* | $490k | Early VC | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Water Access Rwanda is a for-profit social enterprise founded in 2014 by mechanical engineer Christelle Kwizera to address water scarcity and youth unemployment. Kwizera was inspired to start the company after witnessing the effects of economic water scarcity and learning of deaths from crocodile attacks in rivers where people collected water. She launched the venture at age 20, a year before graduating from Oklahoma Christian University.
The company's primary offering is the INUMA™ mini-grid, a borehole-fed piped water system. These grids use solar and AC power to pump and purify groundwater, which is then sold to communities through prepaid smart meters. This provides reliable, safe drinking water directly to public access points and private household taps at an affordable rate. The business model involves securing funding for the initial grid establishment, after which the company manages all operations, maintenance, and water quality monitoring, funded by water sales. In addition to the INUMA™ grids, Water Access Rwanda provides other water solutions. These include 'UHIRA' for farmers and off-grid businesses, offering borehole drilling and pump installation, and 'AMAZI', which promotes rainwater harvesting with filtration systems for urban households. The company serves a diverse client base, including rural and semi-urban communities, households, farms, schools, and businesses in Rwanda, with some services extending to the DRC, Burundi, and Uganda.
By providing convenient access to clean water, the enterprise saves households significant time previously spent fetching water, reduces waterborne illnesses, and creates employment opportunities for young people. Water Access Rwanda has received numerous accolades, including the Africa Entrepreneurship Award, and has secured significant funding, including a $7.5 million investment in late 2023 to accelerate the expansion of its mini-grid network.
Keywords: safe water access, water infrastructure, solar-powered water pumps, water purification, mini-grids, borehole drilling, water scarcity solutions, social enterprise, Rwanda, East Africa, Christelle Kwizera, prepaid water meters, rural water supply, community water systems, groundwater access, rainwater harvesting, water filtration, sustainable water, climate adaptation, youth employment