Vumela Fund backs Kusini Water expansion

The FNB Business and Edge Growth investment vehicle Vumela Fund has announced a new deal with Gauteng-based clean watertech start-up Kusini Water. This investment will enable the company to expand its operations and broaden its ability to bring clean, safe drinking water to people throughout the African continent.

Kusini Water is able to provide clean water to underserved communities by partnering with public benefit organisations

Kusini Water was founded in 2017 and specialises in the manufacture and assembling of water filtration and treatment systems equipped with IoT technology, and also provides water use optimisation and green building solutions to corporates. Business has grown rapidly and Kusini now runs over 30 sites and provides more than three million litres of water a month to communities and corporates.

“Over the last 3 years we have worked with our corporate partners to improve water security and provide better water management tools in South Africa,” says Kusini Water founder and CEO Murendeni Mafumo.

“With this funding and partnership with Vumela, we aim to increase our reach throughout South Africa and across the African continent to provide water security and ensure our communities have access to safe drinking water regardless of location.”

The company’s key goal is consistent with that of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of clean water and sanitation for all. This investment will create positive environmental outcomes as well as the creation of permanent South African jobs.

“Kusini Water is an innovative and highly impactful business. We were impressed by the team’s skillset and experience and by their passion to drive practical solutions for the African context that deliver both commercial and social outcomes”, says lead deal maker at Edge Growth, Philani Mzila.

“The results they have already shown are exceptional and we look forward to partnering with them in their local and international expansion plans,” he says.

As a graduate of FNB’s Social Entrepreneurship Impact Lab (SEIL) programme, Kusini Water has benefited from a blend of business development support as well as grant investment to catalyse the growth of their business.

Read more: Local foodtech startup secures funding

Feature image supplied by Kusini Water