UK water industry hosts South Africa’s largest water utility and other experts in cross country tour

In South Africa, one of the key sectors identified as part of the work that Global Alliance Africa has undertaken, is Water and Wastewater due to the economic case for management of water resources. South Africa is considered a water scarce country and Global Alliance Africa, with its view to align to the country’s innovation needs identified the need to invest in innovation aimed at enabling water security.

The key objectives of this visit are to:

• Facilitate connections between South Africa and the UK in the water sector, fostering partnerships and collaborations to address water security issues.
• Foster learning between both countries on innovations in the water sector specifically focusing discussions on Leak detection, Asset management, and Digital transformation.
• Collectively reflect on the strategies and focus areas of each of the organisations around enabling water security through innovation.

The kick-off meeting took place today (22 May) with the signing of a Letter of Collaboration by Innovate UK KTN’s strategic development director Jon Kingsbury and Mogan Padayachee, Manager Innovation and Technology, Rand Water. This indicates commitment from all counterparties to take forward new initiatives identified during the trip under the Global Alliance Africa programme.

The day continued with presentations from the Department for Science and Innovation, Technology Innovation Agency, and the Water Research Commission, then the day was wrapped up with an overview of Global Alliance Africa’s project interventions which highlighted the opportunities in forthcoming water-related activities for the team across South Africa. The delegation will spend a busy week travelling between London, Oxford, Milton Keynes in a series of visits to key research organisations, innovative start-ups, and utility companies to share experiences and gather knowledge in the areas of industrial leak detection, asset management, sludge beneficiation, and digital transformation.

With a special thanks to hosts for the week – Severn Trent Water, WRc, HR Wallingford, Auto Desk, Aiimi, and Cranfield University.

This trip is an important part of our commitment to providing world-class water services to South Africans. Clean, safe and reliable water is foundational to the growth and development of our economy and in an age of unparalleled innovation, connectivity and shared-value, it is important that we look to the knowledge, ideas and solutions being developed by our global peers as an opportunity to empower our people at home.

– Sipho Mosai, CEO, Rand Water

The Knowledge Exchange is a valuable opportunity for both countries to gain insights and best practices on water management exploring new ways to drive innovation in its water sector.

About Global Alliance Africa

The Global Alliance Africa project is a six-year project funded by UK Aid through Innovate UK (GCRF) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

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Webpage ktn-uk.org/programme/africa