Water is Earth’s most abundant resource. While for some, clean water for drinking and daily use is available a few steps away, for others, such access is a luxury or the product of a long, difficult process. UNICEF estimates that 418 million Africans lack access to a basic, safe drinking water device. This issue lies at the heart of African development, affecting community health, education, employment rates, nutrition, and many other factors. For decades, USADF funding has supported African-led projects that make water security equitable by improving access to clean water, sanitation devices, and hygiene awareness in underserved communities across the continent. As we commemorate World Water Day, we are proud to highlight how USADF grantee Iriba Water Group is embodying the theme of this year’s celebration - Accelerating Change.
Yvette Ishimwe founded Iriba Water Group to provide sustainable solutions to increase community access to affordable, clean, and safe water in her home country, Rwanda. UNICEF estimates that only 57 percent of the Rwandan population has access to safe drinking water within 30 minutes of their home. Lack of physical access and financial means leaves a lot of the population vulnerable to diseases and even death as a result of consuming contaminated water.
Iriba Water Group is working to improve access to clean drinking water through solar-powered water ATMs installed in strategic public locations such as schools, marketplaces, and bus stops, especially targeting low-income communities. Their tap-and-drink ATM systems are a much more affordable and environmentally conscious option, at costs that are up to 400 percent cheaper than a bottle of water. The strategic placement of their devices also targets areas that can provide access to the most people, as some of their water access points can serve as many as 1,000 people daily.
Since 2016, Iriba has received multiple USADF grants totaling US$85,000 which have been used to cover expenses relating to the purchase and installation of boreholes, water tanks, and water ATMs. Most recently, in 2021, Iriba Water Group was one of the inaugural grantees of USADF’s Africa Resilience Initiative for Entrepreneurs (ARIE) program and received US$50K to support their expansion and capacity building. The USADF funds went towards the acquisition of additional equipment, employing additional staff, and developing their technical assistance and operational capacity.
With these funds, Iriba has been able to put up 36 additional water ATMs across Rwanda. This gives more than 24,960 Rwandans access to safe drinking water every month. Their presence in these communities has created employment opportunities for youth and women, who are tasked with managing the water ATMs, a process that is becoming increasingly efficient due to their implementation of digital management systems acquired using the ARIE funding. Additionally, marketing campaigns in different communities generate awareness of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices and promote Iriba's range of products. Iriba’s success in Rwanda thus far has led them to begin expanding their operations westward to serve communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As we celebrate World Water Day, USADF remains committed to supporting African entrepreneurs and enterprises #acceleratingchange by improving access to clean drinking water.