Online Reporter
Prosper Ndlovu in GABORONE, Botswana
ACCESS to clean water is a big challenge across Africa and young innovators from the continent are harnessing technology to bridge the gap while embracing climate change adaptability.
Mr Jimson Chingore, a Zimbabwean based in South Africa is here in Gaborone, representing their company, Elemen Tec, based in South Africa, which is exhibiting atmospheric water harvesting and solar distillation systems as solutions to clean water challenges in the continent.
A total of 20 Zimbabwean companies are also exhibiting various products and services at the ongoing Global Expo Botswana 2025.
Mr Chingore told Zimpapers that the atmospheric water harvesting model extracts liquid water from moisture in the air, using active refrigeration (cooling air below its dew point).
The model uses a simple atmospheric water generator, which offers a decentralized source of potable water, particularly valuable in arid or off-grid situations.
This can be complemented by solar distillation models, especially on communities or corporates that have raw water or salty water bodies but lack treatment capacity, Mr Chingore said.
Studies already suggest that Africa’s clean water problem is characterized by limited access to basic water services, with 1 in 3 Africans lacking safe drink, which often leads to increased disease, especially in rural areas and urban slums.
Climate change dynamics, weak governance, poor infrastructure, and rapid population growth, have been blamed for exacerbating water challenges in the continent.
These usually combine to create significant challenges for public health, women and girls who collect water, and economic development, experts say.
Solutions involve investing in sustainable water harvesting and management systems, improving infrastructure, and promoting local community efforts, among others.
