As government and its partners continue to prioritize the provision of portable, clean and safe drinking water to all as per the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the private sector is also playing a key role in the promotion of water treatment products as a way of ensuring clean water and sanitation to households in Malawi. With support from the Malawi Innovation Challenge Fund (MICF), Arkay Plastics Limited and its partner, SAFI Water Treatment Solutions, started manufacturing locally a Household Water Treatment and Storage Unit that aims at providing a simple yet effective point of use solution to the challenges of poor quality drinking water that plagues many parts of the country.
Studies indicate that consistent use of Household Water Treatment Systems (HWTS) products and practices reduces the risk of contracting water borne diseases such as diarrhea, by as much as 50 percent. Yet, despite the compelling benefits for personal health, approximately 67 percent of Malawian households do not treat their drinking water adequately (10.7 million people). The Water Treatment and Storage Unit, which is a first of its kind to be produced in the country aims to target and provide access to clean and portable water to 50,000 households across Malawi.
The water treatment and storage units are deemed a crucial step for MICF in support of the country’s private sector development and poverty alleviation. The new product has been a clear indication of Malawian firms’ ability to develop new innovative ideas and carry the associated risks whilst ensuring the inclusive nature of the project by involving female entrepreneurs as part of its marketing and sales program.
The product mainly targets households in semi urban and rural Malawi who do not have access to a regular water supply and in-house connections.
Arkay Plastics and its partner SAFI, have positioned the Water Filter devices as an attractive commodity to the local households by making it relatively inexpensive to purchase at a price point which is 60 percent lower than the price for similar imported filters, making it affordable for low income families.
The project which commenced in January 2015 and is expected to be completed by end 2017, creating 51 new jobs in the processes as well as enhancing improvements on water, hygiene and sanitation issues.
Arkay Plastics is one the 19 private sector firms currently leading the implementation of various agribusiness, manufacturing and logistics projects with support from MICF, aimed at strengthening the private sector’s ability to serve as the engine of economic growth.
MICF is a competitive, transparent mechanism that provides grant finance for innovative projects and inclusive business models proposed by the private sector active in Malawi’s agricultural, manufacturing and logistics sectors. It is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Department for International Development (UKAid), the German Development Bank (KfW) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Original source: United Nations Malawi
Published on 24 November 2017
