How it all started

In 2017, Amref Health Africa and MegaGroup embarked on a joint learning journey in Kenya that would ultimately spark the idea behind WaterStarters. Together, representatives from both organisations visited local communities to better understand the challenges people face in accessing safe and reliable water. Through these conversations and field visits, it became clear that both organisations shared a common ambition: improving access to clean water through sustainable and scalable solutions.

The strong alignment between Amref and MegaGroup led to the creation of WaterStarters, a social enterprise designed to improve access to safe drinking water in Kenya. The success of the initiative was built on the complementary strengths of the partners. MegaGroup contributed business expertise, innovation, technical knowledge, and scaling capabilities, while Amref brought its extensive public health experience and community reach across Africa. Most importantly, local communities themselves played a central role in shaping and implementing the model.

Together with the entrepreneurial spirit and expertise of local communities, WaterStarters developed a sustainable business model that makes drinking water available for consumption, sanitation, and irrigation in many parts of Kenya.

Although MegaGroup is no longer part of the partnership, the vision that inspired WaterStarters continues today. Amref works closely with a growing network of private-sector partners that support sustainable water and health solutions across Africa. These include organisations such as Genap and Grundfos, whose expertise, innovation, and commitment help strengthen the impact and reach of initiatives like WaterStarters.