South Africa’s Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the UK government’s national innovation agency Innovate UK have established a R16-million (USD 854,000)fund to support collaborative research, development, and commercial partnerships between South African and UK water utilities. The focus is on innovations in water management, distribution, and treatment.

The UK-SA Water Innovation Lead Customer Programme fund aims to forge partnerships between South African and UK water utilities and innovators with proven solutions, enabling greater access to clean water and sanitation. This initiative addresses water security challenges faced by South Africa and the UK, including water shortages, capacity constraints on investing in new infrastructure, and maintenance of existing facilities.

“Innovate UK and TIA share common issues such as droughts, ageing infrastructure, and the ever-growing needs of expanding populations. This initiative is an opportunity for us to build stronger linkages between our two countries. By combining the resources, talent, expertise, and experiences of our respective water sectors, we can work together to solve our collective challenges,” said Innovate UK Global Alliance head Dr. Nee-Joo Teh.

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The new initiative provides an opportunity for innovators to engage with their global counterparts, explore new environments, and create value for both markets and their communities.

“This partnership with Innovate UK ties in with TIA’s mandate and mission to harness technological innovation and knowledge for the betterment of all South Africans. By stimulating and supporting collaborative water innovation, we can promote economic growth and improve our citizens’ quality of life,” added TIA natural resources and energy business unit head Dayanandan Naidoo.

Of the R16-million in funding available, R5-million is being provided by TIA for South African organizations, while Innovate UK is providing £500,000 (about R11.4-million) for their UK partners. Eligible entries must propose a partnership between at least one South Africa- and one UK-based organization.

Innovate UK’s Global Alliance Africa project will manage the fund, which is divided into two streams based on Technology Readiness Levels (TRL).

South African organizations with projects at TRL 4 to 6 can receive grants up to R500,000, and their UK partners up to £25,000. For projects at TRL 6 to 8, South African entities are awarded up to R1-million, with UK partners eligible for up to £100,000.

Additionally, Global Alliance Africa and TIA will offer technical support and assist in finding and connecting South African and UK partners.

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Applicants with innovative, tested proof-of-concept solutions that address key challenges will be prioritized. These challenges fall into two thematic areas, one of which is digitalization, focusing on water resource management, leak detection and reduction, data-driven decision-making, improved water quality monitoring, enhanced water treatment, better water distribution and access, water billing and revenue management, and remote monitoring of rural water infrastructure.

The second theme is effective waste management in the fields of wastewater treatment efficiency, water reuse and recycling, energy recovery, and nutrient recovery.

South African startups, small, medium-sized, and microenterprises, as well as large organizations, are encouraged to participate in this collaborative initiative.

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Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert. 
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard