Majicom’s solar water kiosks offer a sustainable and affordable way to access clean water. These innovative systems purify, store, and dispense safe drinking water while significantly reducing plastic waste. With new funding, the company is set to expand its impact across East Africa, bringing clean water solutions to more communities and educational institutions.
Solar Water Kiosks: A Solution for Clean and Affordable Water
Cambridge-based social enterprise Majicom is making significant strides in sustainable water technology. Backed by new funding from Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, Innovate UK, and the Royal Academy of Engineering, the company is poised to expand its reach across East Africa. At the heart of this mission are Majicom’s revolutionary solar water kiosks—a sustainable, affordable, and effective solution for accessing clean water.
The company launched its first kiosks at universities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where they are already providing significant benefits to students. Designed for densely populated areas, the technology is ideal for campuses and urban communities. Majicom is now set to expand its operations into neighboring Kenya, an important milestone in its journey.
Majicom’s solar water kiosks purify, store, and dispense clean water while reducing reliance on plastic bottles. They cut the cost of clean water by more than 50 percent and help tackle the growing problem of plastic waste in educational institutions. The University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University, with a combined student population of over 100,000, have already committed to piloting the kiosks, representing a significant opportunity to scale the technology’s impact.
Professor Gitau of the University of Nairobi commented on the partnership. “Access to affordable, sustainable drinking water is essential for our students. Majicom’s innovative kiosks provide an excellent solution to meet this need while also helping to reduce plastic waste,” he said.
Leveraging Strategic Partnerships for Sustainability
Majicom’s expansion is driven by a deep commitment to sustainability. The company recently partnered with INNO-NEAT, a Kenyan technology firm specializing in repurposing e-waste. This addresses the pressing issue of battery waste across Sub-Saharan Africa, where up to 90 percent of it ends up in landfills.
INNO-NEAT has developed a process for recycling lithium-ion battery waste into solar power management systems. This breakthrough technology will now be integrated into Majicom’s solar kiosks. The collaboration aligns with the company’s mission to create solutions that are both environmentally friendly and economically viable.
Mike Coto, CEO of Majicom, spoke about the partnership’s impact. “Our collaboration with INNO-NEAT enables us to build more sustainable kiosks while supporting the local economy,” he said. “Together, we’re not just providing clean water but also championing a greener, closed-loop system that reuses existing resources.”
Educational Impact: Training the Next Generation of Engineers
Beyond providing clean water, Majicom is also making a significant contribution to education in Tanzania. Through support from the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Higher Education Partnerships (HEP) program, the company is fostering a new generation of skilled engineers.
Majicom has partnered with four universities and technical institutes to integrate its kiosk technology into their engineering and manufacturing courses. This initiative bridges the gap between theoretical learning and practical application by giving students valuable hands-on experience.
The “Impact Engineer” training program, developed with partners like Ardhi University and Ekihya, takes this commitment a step further by equipping young engineers with the skills needed to address real-world challenges. Graduates of the program will also have the opportunity to intern with Majicom in 2025, gaining invaluable experience in a technology-focused environment.
Lillian Madeje of Ekihya highlighted the program’s importance. “The Impact Engineer program bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, equipping students with practical skills that are invaluable in today’s job market,” she said. “We’re thrilled to work with Majicom to bring this vision to life.”
Majicom’s solar water kiosks are revolutionizing sustainable water technology in East Africa, and the company’s planned expansion is poised to significantly increase its impact. Through innovation and collaboration, Majicom is providing access to clean water, reducing environmental harm, and creating educational opportunities. For communities across the region, these kiosks represent more than just a technological solution—they embody progress, resilience, and a hopeful vision for a sustainable future.
