Regional financer boosts Purifaaya water filter maker
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Spouts has caused a stir in both Uganda and Rwanda in recent years thanks to its innovative and affordable products
DOB Equity, an investment fund based in Kenya, has announced that it will provide funding to Spouts International, a company enabling access to clean water through its locally-manufactured ceramic water filters under the brand name Purifaaya.
DOB Equity is an impact investment fund dedicated to empowering transformative businesses across East Africa. With a renewed focus on sustainable food systems, energy and water and sanitation services, DOB Equity supports innovative enterprises that deliver measurable social, environmental, and economic impact.
In a recent press release, the company said the investment in Spouts aligns with their renewed focus on sustainable water solutions, as part of its broader strategy supporting sustainable food systems, energy and water and sanitation services across East Africa.
- “This funding will enable Spouts to scale its manufacturing capacity, strengthen distribution networks, and expand its reach across East Africa,” it said, adding that since its inception, the company has distributed close to 300,000 filters, benefiting close to two million people while eliminating over 1.5 million tons of carbon emissions.
The Purifaaya water filters, made from locally sourced materials, use advanced ceramic filtration technology and are designed to be simple and accessible for everyday use. The filters supplied by Spouts offer a safe, affordable and eco-friendly solution for clean drinking water, eliminating the need for traditional boiling methods that are harmful to the environment.
By eliminating the need to boil water, they address critical health and environmental challenges, including; indoor air pollution caused by firewood or charcoal used for boiling water, deforestation from the unsustainable harvesting of wood for fuel, high carbon emissions from traditional boiling methods.
- By enabling communities to reduce their carbon footprint, Spouts is able to provide high quality, verified carbon credits, which, together with commercial filter sales, transforms the way clean water is accessed in underserved communities.
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“Spouts marks our first investment under DOB Equity’s new strategy, falling specifically under our “Water” Pillar. Spouts fully aligns with our mission to support scalable, local innovations that have clear social impact to the underserved and supports these communities to better adapt to the negative impacts of climate change, said Karen Serem Waithaka, the DOB CEO.
“We are glad to have found a company in the water sector that not only achieves significant impact by providing clean drinking water but also demonstrates financial viability through its innovative business model.”
She added: “With less than 25% of East Africa’s population having access to reliable safe drinking water, the need for solutions like Purifaaya filters is urgent. By addressing both health and environmental issues, Spouts is driving transformative change in the region and setting a benchmark for sustainable impact.”
Daniel Yin, the Spouts CEO, expressed excited to work together with DOB Equity in Spouts’ next phase of growth and impact. “DOB and Spouts’ missions were aligned since the early stages and we are looking forward to providing millions of additional families with long-term access to safe drinking water, together,” he added.
- Spouts has caused a stir in both Uganda and Rwanda in recent years thanks to its innovative and affordable products. Recently, the company marked a huge step forward in their mission for providing safe water access to five million households across Africa by 20303.
- Incofin Investment Managers committed EUR 3 million to support SPOUTS through the Water Access Acceleration Fund, empowering the ceramic water filters to reach even more underserved communities.
Currently, the DOB’s diverse portfolio includes 25 high-impact companies driving sustainable growth and resilience in the region. Beyond providing financing options such as equity and equity-like instruments, DOB Equity offers access to networks, governance and strategic guidance, enabling local entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and maximize their impact.
Officials said this funding would enable SPOUTS to scale its operations across East Africa, expand its manufacturing capacity, and strengthen its distribution networks.