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Water and Energy for the Rural Poor, Madagascar
Commercial provision of affordable and durable water and solar energy
products suitable for conditions in developing countries.
Größere Kartenansicht
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This for-profit company registered in Madagascar
was founded by former NGO professionals with strong backgrounds
in international aid and emergency relief. Their aim is to improve
living conditions for the rural poor in Madagascar by providing
innovative solutions in the areas of water and energy. Some
of these products have been specifically developed by the company
- such as water pumps and water filters, as well as technology
for well-jetting tailored to different areas in Madagascar.
The company also sells micro-solar products replacing batteries,
candles and oil lamps. |
The company plans to provide access to safe water
for 1 million people within five years, and access to energy for 500,000
people. Solar energy enables users to save the money they would have
spent on non-renewable sources of energy. It prevents health and environmental
hazards associated with oil lamps and batteries. Access to clean drinking
water contributes to improving health and living standards of the
poor in Madagascar.
Since 2004, the company has built more than 400 wells,
providing 37,000 people with access to safe drinking water. In 2005,
the company won the World Bank Development Marketplace Award for
their innovative well-jetting technology. The company also assembles
solar energy products for lighting systems and to power radios,
flashlights and phones.
The company is already operative, but requires some
initial funds to scale up their business. Innovative marketing and
sales channels enable the company to disseminate information about
their products to a large audience among the local population. The
company estimates the potential market for water and energy services
to amount to 14 million people in Madagascar. Over the next five
years, they aim to gain a five per cent market share in both the
water and solar energy sectors.
The funds will enable the company to scale up
their business, improve their micro-solar energy products and refine
their sales channels.
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