Finalists

AceGates Water Solution

Nigeria

The AceGates Water Solution aims to solve the water crisis through the provision of an innovative business model that provides adequate and abundant sourcing of clear water, a state-of-the-art water filtration system installed to a well laid out water storage and distribution ecosystem. AceGates Water Solution then seeks to efficiently meter the water distribution through the use of smart IoT gadgets that control and regulate the water distribution to people. This data is then collected, cleaned up, analyzed and communicated to all relevant parties involved. This collected data will then be used by facility/property managers for the proper billing of utilities to the end users. It will also be used on a larger scale for future planning and development by the Federal Government, Real Estate Developers, Town planners and any other parties involved in regional/large-scale development

Anteneh JerryCan 

Ethiopia

This project is about building a new kind of Jerry can for water transport for rural areas that ease the pain for the person carrying the load with lower cost. The basic scientific concept for the development of this product is based on the fact that distributed force generates less pressure or impact than concentrated force. Instead of the standard shape of the 25 liter Jerry Can, Anteneh’s Jerry Can has torus shape with the same volume as the standard jerry can. The shape of torus is made square with center to center length of 66cm with pipe diameter of 11cm. At two opposite side of the pipes there are two attached lathers that are used to hold the Anetenh’s Jerry can on your shoulder. This reduces the pressure of the water by distributing the weight of the water in 360 degrees comparing to the concentrated weight of standard jerry can and utilize all part of our body for support rather than using only spinal chord. To maintain the load close to center of gravity which is the person carrying it, the diameter of the pipe and the length of the pipe can be varied depending on the height and weight of the person carrying Anteneh’s Jerry Can. 

Agriaquatech 

Democratic Republic of the Congo

AquagriTech is a company specializing in aquaponics, a technique combining aquaculture (animal or plant production in water) and hydroponics (agriculture using enriched water). It defines itself as an organic farm also practicing poultry farming (poultry breeding), in a circular economy model. The company recycles manure from its farms into natural fertilizer to produce vegetables. The latter are cultivated on clay soils irrigated by water from breeding ponds. Under the influence of bacteria, the ammonia in fish urine is transformed into nutrients consumed by plants, and the purified water returns to the ponds, all in a closed circuit. After observing the difficulties small producers had in transporting their food from small rural production areas to large cities where more than half of consumers live, the team decided to conceptualize an existing method of cultivation. Aquaponic production has a pace comparable to that of conventional agriculture, but saves between 90% and 95% of water. Small producers can obtain 4 times more harvests using 10 times less water, without using chemical fertilizers. The other advantage is that it reduces logistical difficulties for producers targeting urban markets. AquagriTech therefore manufactures and markets individual aquaponic kits. The company also offers aquaponics training to youth, teaching them how to raise tilapia, catfish, and vegetables/plants like lettuce, spinach, basil, parsley, mint, and more. 

AquaTrack Technologies 

Tanzania

The problem AquaTrack Technologies aims to solve is the significant inefficiencies and challenges faced by water utilities worldwide due to mismanaged water distribution networks. According to recent studies, up to 30% of treated water is lost through leaks and distribution system inefficiencies in some regions, representing a significant financial and environmental burden on water utilities and communities. AquaTrack Technologies addresses this issue by providing a cutting-edge digital platform powered by IoT sensors and data analytics. These technologies enable water utilities to monitor their distribution networks in real-time, detecting leaks, pressure variations, and inefficiencies with unprecedented accuracy. This customizable platform can be tailored to the specific needs of utilities of all sizes and budgets, making it accessible to communities worldwide.

Aumsat Technologies LLP

India

Aumsat is a progressively incorporated earth observation and reconnaissance application environment that sees our planet and its current circumstance for the essential benefit of humankind. By understanding the dynamic interaction between Land, Air and Water we provide a diverse, comprehensive range of analytical solutions for smart agriculture, water and surveillance sectors.

BES hydrochamp: revolutionizing water treatment 

Bangladesh

BES for Susyainable Sewage Treatment involves implementing Bio-Electrochemical Systems (BES) for sewage treatment. BES offers a sustainable approach with benefits such as resource recovery, energy generation, and decentralized treatment options, effectively addressing the critical water challenge. In Bangladesh, only 30% of the capital city’s wastewater is recycled, and the rest remains untreated. Their solution proposes an efficient way to tackle the problem of drinking water and safeguard public health.

Biogreen Technology Limited

Zambia

Biogreen Technology combines fish farming operations with cutting-edge technology and for empowering aquaculturists worldwide. Their comprehensive Fish Farm Management App is meticulously crafted to usher in the future of aquaculture, providing fish farmers, whether seasoned professionals or budding enthusiasts, with unparalleled control over their operations. Biogreen's provisionally patented IOT based device enables you to efficiently manage your water quality anywhere in the world.

Clean-Water (Sustainable Water Technologies Pvt. Ltd.)

India

Clean-Water aims to treat contaminated water so that it can be reused. The rise in population and the consequent increase in domestic and industrial effluents and the increasing pressure on agriculture results in over-irrigation, soil contamination, and high usage of fertilizers and pesticides ultimately worsening water quality. The team offers a combination of floating islands (incorporating specialized wetland plants and bio media for bioremediation), aerators and microbial cultures. These islands are unique in their use of media which enables development of biofilms of friendly bacteria that take up excess nutrients to 4 times faster than plants. Their floating aerators facilitate efficient water mixing, improving oxygen levels for healthier aquatic ecosystem while reducing loss of water to evaporation. The processes of phytoremediation and bio augmentation (through microbial cultures) are highly effective at reducing pollutant concentrations as well.

Cranitech Software Solutions Limited 

Zambia

Through the use of IoT technology, Cranitech implements a credit-based and pay-as-you-go model for solar water systems for drip irrigation to address the 'too little water' challenge. Farmers make monthly micropayments using mobile money or through a network of extension officers while using them. Their payment history is then used to enable them to access further climate finance. Additionally, farmers receive weather forecasts and warnings for improved decision-making through a digital platform

CrustaTec 

Guatemala

Did you know that shrimp shell waste can be transformed into a non-toxic, biodegradable material that's ideal for wastewater treatment? CrustaTec aims to prevent the discharge of untreated wastewater and avoid the use of hazardous products during treatment while providing high-added value to shrimp shell waste. CrustaTec uses the shrimp shell waste discarded by the seafood industry to produce chitosan biopolymer. This polymer is the base for our two main products: 1) a chitosan-based recirculation filter for textile wastewater treatment and 2) a natural flocculant for general wastewater treatment. The recirculation filter is an affordable and easy operation method, specially designed to be used by rural artisans and small textile producers.The natural flocculant has the structural characteristics to allow an efficient separation and a proper formation of biodegradable flocs, ideal for treating general wastewater. By producing the biopolymer CrustaTec is preventing an environmental risk from the dumping of seafood waste into landfills, rivers and oceans. In addition, CrustaTec is contributing to the circular economy around solid waste management and wastewater treatment.

DonateWater 

Nigeria

DonateWater adopts a two-pronged approach to confront water scarcity in rural Nigeria. At its core is the power of citizen science and crowdsourcing, harnessed to collect and analyze vital data on water source locations and quality. This data serves as the foundation for creating informative maps that pinpoint water scarcity hotspots, enabling targeted interventions where they are needed most.

Dreamwater Portable Filter- Converting Flood Disaster into Economic opportunity 

Bangladesh

Dreamwater Enterprises Limited aims to address the pressing issue of clean drinking water scarcity during flooding in flood-prone areas across Bangladesh. The recurring floods in northern parts of Bangladesh exacerbate the challenge of accessing safe drinking water, leaving millions vulnerable to waterborne diseases and dehydration. The DreamWater portable filter directly tackles this problem by effectively converting flood water into clean, potable water. By harnessing untapped water sources and utilizing innovative filtration technology, their device ensures that flood-affected communities have access to safe drinking water even in the midst of a crisis. What sets them apart is their commitment to affordability, efficiency, and durability. Additionally, filters are designed to remove odor and enhance taste, providing not just potable water but also a better drinking experience. Dreamwater Enterprises Limited offers a comprehensive solution that addresses the critical need for clean drinking water during floods, setting a new standard for accessibility and effectiveness in disaster relief efforts.

DruFarm Technology Private Limited 

India

DruFarm's innovative solutions empower farmers with smart irrigation technologies, data-driven insights, and precision farming techniques. By optimizing water usage and enhancing crop productivity, DruFarm not only conserves precious water resources but also uplifts rural livelihoods and safeguards ecosystem health. Through our impactful interventions, they aim to transform agricultural landscapes, ensuring sustainable water management practices for generations to come.

Ecology House 

Burkina Faso

Ecology House is an innovative approach to solving the problem of plastic pollution. It involves creating a recycling application that works as follows: First, the user must download the application to their mobile phone. Then, they must create an account and register their personal information. Once this is done, they can start scanning the waste they wish to recycle using their mobile phone's camera. The application's waste scanning system uses augmented reality technology to identify the types of waste the user wants to recycle. After recognizing the waste, the application tells the user if it can be recycled and the location is sent. The user can then earn points based on the amount of waste they have recycled. Once the user has collected enough points, they can exchange them for products made from recycled materials by Ecology House. The offered products can vary depending on the application's partnerships. For example, it could be tables and chairs, paving stones, wall coverings made from water bottles, or even discount coupons for brands committed to sustainable development, etc. The application can also encourage user participation by offering regular challenges that allow the user to earn even more points and contribute to waste collection. Finally, the application can have a social dimension by allowing users to compare their scores with those of their friends and family.

Elzian Agro (Private) Limited 

Sri Lanka

Agro-Mate is an automation system with many sensors consisting of a combination of hardware and software that serves as a supervisor in charge of irrigation and other associated operations of agriculture, it is an automated irrigation system that continually measures the moisture level in the soil. The Automated irrigation system may use to irrigate the farmland with different irrigation needs. While the system is primarily intended for agricultural irrigation, it may use for automated plant watering and livestock.

HydroDrip / HydroWallet 

Democratic Republic of The Congo

HydroWallet is digital wallet for water. It helps water companies to provide water at scale.HydroDrip is Business to Business (B2B) hardware & software company that allows water companies to deliver clean water machines that give users an integrated payment for recurring water sold through our digital wallet called HydroWallet.

HydroEfficient Coating

Ecuador

Water-Y seeks to lead innovation in optimizing water use. They offer cost-effective and efficient solutions that impact various areas such as plastic waste, education, malnutrition, and community empowerment. The team has developed a highly efficient and economical nanomaterial that can be obtained from rice husk and applied to conventional condensers to increase water production by up to 50%. The  innovation can revolutionize the water condenser industry by solving inefficiency problems. High-quality water can improve the quality of life and contribute to a circular economy that utilizes a common agricultural waste.

Mop Tech's FOR process

Lesotho

Floc-Opex Recovery (FOR) aims to create a circular economy, mitigate climate change and environmental degradation through resource recovery. FOR assists potable water treatment plants by recycling up to 90% of metal-based chemicals with a 95% purity. This metal recovery translates to approximately a 15% reduction in volumes of sludge that would have needed to be discarded. Through this resource recovery approach FOR reduces the impact of chemical market price fluctuations on water utilities and emits 140 times less greenhouse gases in contrast to the manufacturing of these virgin metal chemicals.

Omnitech - Rano'O devices  

Madagascar

In Madagascar, 80% of schools are lacking clean water and sanitation facilities. Consequently, 3.5 million school days are lost annually due to waterborne diseases and inadequate sanitation infrastructure. To address this, Omnitech - Rano'O devices proposes installing a low-tech water pumping system to an elevated reservoir in schools, equipped with a water filtration system, providing students with daily access to clean water. The goal is to significantly reduce waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. Since 2020, global awareness of the importance of hand hygiene to prevent bacterial and viral diseases (including Covid-19, flu, bacterial conjunctivitis) has increased. Despite awareness efforts, students struggle to follow hygiene practices, highlighting the need for handwashing stations. These stations educate students on proper handwashing techniques in a fun way, with a time limit, while conserving water. The device consists of a sink with screens and sensors that detect the presence of students, guiding them through the handwashing process with optimal water usage for 30 seconds. Additionally, connected to the station, a collector equipped with mineral filters will clean greywater for use in watering school gardens, cleaning toilets, or classrooms.

O'Nadif

Chad

O'Nadif is an innovative water filtration system designed to provide clean, safe drinking water in environments where access to a clean water source is limited. It uses advanced ultrafiltration technology to effectively remove impurities, bacteria, viruses and other contaminants from water, making it safe to drink. O'Nadif is specially designed to be energyefficient, requiring no electricity or chemicals, making it suitable for remote areas or emergency situations. The system aims to improve the quality of life of vulnerable populations, including refugees, by providing reliable access to safe drinking water, helping to reduce water-borne diseases and promote health and well-being.

Phytoremediation

Nigeria

The innovative aspect of this solution is the use of a specially selected strain of Azolla pinnata that is particularly effective at absorbing and accumulating common industrial contaminants like heavy metals and nitrogen compounds. Unlike other remediation methods, this approach actually removes contaminants rather than just containing them. So far, the team has conducted small-scale pilot studies that have achieved a 65% decrease in water nitrogen levels and a 70% reduction in lead concentrations within 6 months. 

Potable Water Supply Project for Nyiragongo 

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Nyiragongo Water Project addresses critical water challenges in  the Nyiragongo region, north of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, aiming to provide sustainable, potable water to combat health issues arising from water scarcity.  The innovative approach combines hygienic water tanks, automated valves, and a water tanker system. Plastic specialists ensure tank durability, while electronic engineers design precise valves, creating a comprehensive, technology-driven solution. The integration of hygienic water tanks, a water level monitoring system, connected valves for responsible water management, and a dedicated water tanker ensures a sustainable and continuous supply of potable water while maximizing operational efficiency. The emphasis on community participation and the use of eco-friendly materials fosters long-term environmental and social sustainability. 

Projet de création d’une ferme piscicole intégrée a la production agricole sous serre

Burkina Faso

We are witnessing a strong variability in rainfall that leads to a continuous decrease in stored water resources. Water is a vital resource for all living beings that is becoming scarce. It is widely used in agriculture and fish farming, where we observe wastage. This solution aims to valorize the water from fish farming basins by using it for agricultural production. This approach will allow for a more rational use of water while providing food products to the populations. The solution is innovative because it supports more than 8 tons of fresh fish and 120 tons of fresh tomatoes on the market annually. The valorization of effluents from fish farming basins with the phenomenon of water resource scarcity, this innovation allows for the efficient reuse of this water that will end up in nature, producing tomatoes. 

SafeSip Straws 

Tanzania

SafeSip Straws provide an affordable, portable solution for rural communities, filtering water on-the-go. With a three-stage filtration system, SafeSip Straws ensure safe drinking water, improving health and reducing economic burdens.

SIGIHBA : Système d’information pour la gestion des infrastructures hydrauliques et les bassins aquatiques

Cameroon

SIGIHBA aims to optimize water management in the Lékié department in the Centre Province in Cameroon, where access to drinking water is a major challenge, exacerbated by the lack of infrastructure, population growth, and climate change. The team offers  information and advisory services to:

- Assess the state of hydraulic infrastructure and identify the causes of pollution and malfunction
- Optimize the use and distribution of water according to the needs of different sectors and stakeholders;
- Prevent and reduce water contamination and its impacts on health and the environment;
- Facilitate coordination, communication, participation, and decision-making among water management stakeholders, using digital and geographic tools;
- Stimulate innovation in the water sector by providing reliable, relevant, and accessible data, strengthening the capacities of stakeholders, promoting partnerships, and mobilizing resources. 

The solution is innovative because it relies on techniques that combine spatial sciences (including GIS, databases, data analysis, and remote sensing) and solar technology, which is a renewable, clean, and abundant source of energy, with water pumping, treatment, and distribution systems that are adapted to local conditions and user needs. 

Silverynanos Innovations LLP 

India

More than 150 million people suffer from UTIs each year worldwide and infection rates are especially high in low-income settings that lack sufficient public hygiene and sanitation measures. SilveryNanos provides an affordable and effective sanitation solution to toilets. The spray can formula is based on 3 years of scientific research and is sprayed on toilet seats to form a thin transparent film on the seat that acts as an antibacterial, antialgal, antifungal and antibiofilm surface and ensures that public toilets remains odorless and free of bacteria for an entire month. A study conducted by the team also found a 55% reduction in water used for cleaning the toilets on which Hapito had been applied. By keeping a clean, odorless washroom, SilveryNanos aims to eliminate the risk of UTI from toilets for women. 

Skicc Tech

Zimbabwe

Portable Pre-engineered Gridbox provides a wholistic solution solving food losses by generating electricity used for irrigation during the farming cycle and a container storage a unit to store and extend the life of produce. This approach ensures effective food loss management.

Smart Water Management System (SWMS)

Rwanda

Smart Water Management System (SWMS) targets rural Rwandan residents who depend on public water stations.Firstly, it improves water accessibility and availability, making clean water readily available on demand. Secondly, it enhances water use efficiency by controlling the water flow and reducing water loss. Thirdly, it improves water quality by ensuring that the water supply is not contaminated or wasted. Lastly, it promotes water accountability by recording and monitoring water consumption and transactions, thereby reducing corruption and improving transparency.

Sobuj Filter 

Bangladesh

Sobuj Filter is a low-cost nature inspired water desalinator capable of desalinating 6 litre water per hour. The filter uses the natural desalination and purification characteristics of green moss which provides pure drinking water to the coastal people of Bangladesh in less than 20 USD per year. As part of the venture, the organization will promote micro-franchises through the youth to promote financial progress and inclusivity among the coastal people.

SolarJiji Technologies 

Kenya

SolarJiji offers a groundbreaking forecasting application. Utilizing AI-based models and satellite data, SolarJiji predicts floods, droughts, and water scarcity with unprecedented accuracy.

SOTILMA

Senegal

Sotilma Farm is a smart agricultural water meter that aims to improve water management by offering consumption measurement, control and monitoring functionalities. It helps users reduce their expenses, combat water waste and better understand the water needs of their soils. Sotilma has three standard models to allow each user to choose the model that best suits their needs. Let's move on to the presentation of the models. First there is the individual model which is an electronic water meter, yes an application in your smartphone connected to the meter which is quite easy to use with a simple and welcoming interface. This model allows the user through its application to open and close the taps in the sector but also to choose the number of liters of water to pour and once this choice is made, the taps stop directly.

Supeyo by EasySense 

Bangladesh

Supeyo takes a holistic approach to tackle the water crisis in Bangladesh's vulnerable coastal communities. Leveraging innovative technology, sustainable practices, and community engagement. Supeyo ensures access to safe drinking water & enhance coastal community health and resilience, countering climate vulnerabilities.

Virtual Water Audit

Kosovo

The Virtual Water Audit   platform aims to empower individuals and communities to contribute actively to sustainable water practices. By providing a virtual water audit toolkit, the organization enables users to assess their water consumption, identify inefficiencies, and take tangible steps towards water conservation. Specifically, the solution helps mitigate inefficient water use by offering easy-to-use tools such as calculators, checklists, and guides. Through awareness and education, users can identify and rectify wasteful practices, ultimately contributing to the global effort to address water challenges. The virtual water audit toolkit serves as a practical and accessible solution, fostering a sense of responsibility among users to make informed choices for sustainable water management in their homes and communities.

Water Data Bank - WADABA

Cameroon

The WATER DATA BANK (WADABA) solution aims to address the water challenges by providing a comprehensive and innovative approach to water management. It focuses on collecting, analyzing, and utilizing water data to effectively tackle the four water challenges. For compromised water quality, the WATER DATA BANK solution gathers real-time data on water quality parameters, such as pH levels, turbidity, and chemical composition. By continuously monitoring these factors, it can identify any abnormalities or contamination in the water supply, allowing for immediate action to be taken to ensure the safety and quality of the water. When it comes to dealing with too much water, the WATER DATA BANK solution utilizes predictive analytics and monitoring systems to track rainfall patterns, water levels, and flood-prone areas. This information helps in developing early warning systems and flood management strategies that can minimize the impact of excessive water and protect vulnerable communities. 

Water Wise

Morocco

The Water Wise solution aims to address the water deficiency crisis in the Fes-Meknes region in Morocco by leveraging advanced technologies such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and artificial intelligence. With a substantial agricultural landscape, efficient water resource management is crucial for the region's economy and export industry. The project utilizes GANs to generate synthetic but realistic data for precise irrigation recommendations. By integrating IoT sensors to monitor environmental parameters, an AI model for data collection and analysis, and hyperparameter tuning for optimization, the Water Wise system provides crop-specific irrigation recommendations, adapts irrigation based on weather forecasts, and reduces water consumption while maintaining high yields. This approach has led to significant reductions in water usage and costs for farmers, as well as improved crop health. The solution addresses the water deficiency crisis in the Fes-Meknes region while promoting sustainable and profitable agriculture.

WaterIQ

Indonesia

WaterIQ innovates with IoT and cloud computing to optimize solar-powered water systems in Indonesia's remote areas, offering realtime data for informed decision-making and maintenance forecasting. It tracks water metrics via sensors and GPS, enhancing distribution efficiency and system longevity. Involving local communities in the system's maintenance and management is another key aspect, fostering ownership and commitment to the solution's success. This comprehensive and community-engaged approach, combined with advanced technological capabilities, sets WaterIQ apart in the market. Furthermore, WaterIQ introduces an innovative financing model, where users pay a subscription fee, making it a sustainable and economically viable solution for water management in challenging environments.

WaterKit /WaterKit Wallet

Uganda

WaterKit Wallet is a micro banking system dedicated to Water, Food, and Energy services delivery in rural communities. WaterKit offers different types of financial services to customers all over the world, such as loans, Wire transfers, Long term deposits, savings, and some other related services.

WIST Bangladesh Ltd. (Drinkwell)

Bangladesh

From helping the world’s largest utility in Dhaka, Bangladesh ensure clean water to low-income communities through a network of Water ATMs, to being the technology provider for the world’s largest piped arsenic and iron removal water system in West Bengal, India, Drinkwell provides the most scalable and reliable technology platform that enables organizations of all types meet their water needs.

WOTRWISE

India

India is home to almost 18% of world population, but only 4% of global fresh water resources. Much of this water is used in agriculture. FAO puts this at 90%, Indian Central Water Commission at 78%. India is suffering from the worst water crisis in its history. By 2030, the country’s water demand is projected to be twice the available supply, implying severe water scarcity for hundreds of millions of people. WotrWise proposes creating an agri-business at scale, using Autonomous, Agile, Anywhere Farming by deploying Tech-assisted Aquaponics Farms that use 5-10% of water traditional agriculture uses. The WotrWise platform will create and ecosystem to bring producers (farm operators) and consumers (B2C and B2B) together by creating supply side and demand side linkages. This will also help dis-intermediate the existing inefficient and long supply chains thereby enhancing incomes for the producers while simultaneously ensuring delivery of freshly harvested products direct to customers.

YAAKA INVESTMENT LIMITED

Zambia

The Yaaka solar system - solar powered water pump acts as an alternative technology in rural water supply as they are operationally, financially, and environmentally sustainable. Other technologies traditionally rely on fuel, and electric pumps are costly, difficult to maintain, and environmentally unsustainable. Solar water pumping is a viable way to expand water access across low- and middle-income countries and communities while helping mitigate the effects of shifts in rainfall caused by climate change. The Yaaka solar powered water system consists of solar panels that absorb solar energy from the sun and convert it into electrical energy through photovoltaic effect. The electrical energy pumps water into a reservoir tank that is raised high above the ground.
Gravity pressures water from the tank to various connections at households and institutions.