24th March 2025
by inAfrika Reporter
As the world pauses to reflect on the value of water this Water Day, it’s worth looking beyond the global headlines and zooming in on the quiet revolutions unfolding across East Africa—where access to clean, safe water remains one of the region’s biggest challenges. In this often-overlooked space, a company by the name WaterForce Africa has been quietly making waves.
Headquartered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and steadily expanding its footprint across Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ivory Coast, WaterForce Africa is not just about machines and chemistry. It’s about people—about communities once burdened by the scarcity of clean water, now beginning to thrive.
At the heart of this movement is Shivanand Poojari, the company’s Managing Director, whose journey from global water expert at General Electric to a passionate advocate for sustainable water solutions in Africa is as inspiring as it is impactful. He doesn’t just talk about technology; he talks about purpose. And that purpose is clear—ensuring every drop of water becomes a drop of life.
“Our mission isn’t just to install systems,” Poojari says. “It’s to nurture knowledge, build confidence, and create sustainable impact in the communities we serve.”
That mission is deeply personal for many in East Africa, where the burden of collecting water—usually unsafe, and often from distant sources—falls heavily on women and children. WaterForce Africa is changing that narrative. They are showing that water solutions can be both high-tech and deeply human.
Across the region, nearly 116 million people—about 40% of East Africa’s population—lack access to safe drinking water. In Kenya alone, 15 million people are without access to clean water, and 37 million lack basic sanitation. These staggering numbers are more than statistics—they represent the daily struggle of families, schools, and entire communities.
WaterForce Africa’s work is visible in places like Mombasa’s Njiru Residences, where a seawater desalination plant now ensures residents have a steady, drinkable water supply. It’s felt at Bulyanhulu Gold Mine, where 40,000 liters of water are purified every hour to support mining operations and local workers alike. It’s present in schools, farms, factories, and neighborhoods—wherever water means opportunity, health, or hope.
But the real shift happens not just in the hardware they install, but in the hands they train. Poojari’s passion for building local expertise is palpable. Young Tanzanians, once without options, are now becoming specialists in water chemistry and plant operation, thanks to WaterForce’s commitment to practical, on-the-ground education.
“Every system we design comes with a promise,” says Poojari. “That it will outlast us. That it will be owned, operated, and understood by the people it was built to serve.”
And this couldn’t be more timely. The water and wastewater treatment industry in Africa is expanding fast—driven by rapid urbanization, climate pressures, and industrial growth. The market across the Middle East and Africa is projected to reach $44.5 billion by 2032, growing at a steady 4.1% annually. This growth is powered not only by need but by urgency, as climate change worsens water stress and accelerates the retreat of freshwater sources. Globally, melting glaciers could impact up to 2 billion people, and the African continent stands particularly vulnerable.
For communities whose lives and livelihoods depend on reliable access to water—especially in agriculture-heavy regions where water fuels both food and income—companies like WaterForce Africa are lifelines. In Sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture still employs a major portion of the population and contributes nearly 14% of GDP. Without water, the entire economic engine risks collapse.
That’s why WaterForce’s approach is so vital. Their 2024 projects reflect a broad and ambitious vision: a 100,000-liter-per-hour ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis system for Sayona Fruits; a 400,000-liter-per-hour plant for A One Bottlers; a 50 m³/hr system for East Coast Oil Mills; and custom-built solutions for industrial giants like Shanta Gold, METL Group, Bakhresa, and Mtibwa Sugar Estates. Each project is a story of resilience—technology meeting the local context with precision.
And it doesn’t stop with industry. Beyond the factories and gold mines, WaterForce Africa has quietly built a reputation for social responsibility—delivering clean water to underserved communities, fighting waterborne diseases, and restoring dignity to those too often forgotten by large infrastructure plans.
“Water is life,” Poojari says again, almost as a mantra. “Every clean drop we deliver supports a family, strengthens a community, and secures a future.”
That ethos runs through their environmental commitments too. From deploying eco-friendly filtration systems to promoting water conservation, WaterForce Africa is thinking about tomorrow just as much as today.
“A greener future begins with responsible water management,” Poojari explains. “Our solutions are designed not just for today but to sustain generations to come.”
At its core, WaterForce Africa is powered by something rare: integrity. Their team operates with responsiveness, transparency, and a genuine commitment to clients’ needs. They are builders of both systems and trust.
Looking ahead, the company has its sights set on deeper impact. With strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technology, and an unwavering belief in African potential, WaterForce Africa is ready to meet the continent’s next wave of water challenges—head-on. “Water is at the core of life and development,” Poojari reflects. “Our journey continues—expanding reach, innovating relentlessly, and ensuring that clean water becomes a reality for all.”
Contacto
Phone: +255 712 0989 02 | Email: sales@waterforceafrica.com
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