Our story
A social impact business
Beyond Water is Malawi’s first social impact business dedicated to improving the lives of rural Malawians through affordable, reliable maintenance and repair services delivered through a model that is financially viable for the long term. We focus on business as well as social impacts to improve long term sustainability and attract investment for scale.
Our vision is to transform Malawi’s rural water sector. Creating sustainable access for all. With an emphasis on the sustainable.
For years / decades, Malawi’s rural water has been beset by short term projects, with no practical long term plan for ongoing water supply repair maintenance and functionality. As a result 40% of rural Malawi’s water points don’t work.
Beyond Water Malawi was established as a social impact business by the INGO Pump Aid to address this challenge. Our mission is to provide a professionally managed repair and maintenance service which can ensure the majority of Malawi’s population have guaranteed access to water AND a financially sustainable business model to achieve this.
Based on our extensive experience and evidence in the WASH sector – CBM – since piloting our work in 2020, we have developed a model – through learning and lessons from others. Our approach combines social impact and financial sustainability. Fully functional water points. 365 days per year.
The key features
Evolution of our solution
Through evolving and testing different preventative repair and maintenance innovations (CBM+, PRM and business led PRM), Beyond Water has established a model for PRM, based on critical learning and successful evidence from the continent.
Click on the timeline below to find out more.
Self supply pilot
Testing the feasibility of a small-scale WASH business approach, trained 25 small-scale water entrepreneurs to repair, maintain and install community and household pumps; stimulated demand through local marketing.
Scale up phase
Expanded self-supply approach across central and southern districts; Beyond Water established. Trained a further 50 entrepreneurs with a focus on technical and business skills.
Covid-19 response
Utilising the established network during a crisis. Contracted the trained pump mechanics to repair 500 community pumps as part of COVID-19 response.
Scale up phase
Piloting and scaling professionalised R&M approach. Developing expertise around direct contracts with communities, mobile payments, service guarantees, spare parts logistics.
Support our growth
Hear from our area mechanic
Margaret Paul
Area Mechanic, Dowa District
Work with us
By 2027 we aim to reach 1.25 million people with sustainable water services, achieve financial viability and foster economic growth. Your expertise, support, and partnership have the potential to propel our vision forward. Together, we can break barriers, pioneer new and lasting solutions for communities in need.