Geospatial information science company – AfriGIS – has recently launched a digital platform called Resolve Water to help companies foster improved water management, resilience, sustainability, and investment in the face of growing water challenges in Africa.

AfriGIS, now in its 28th year, has developed strong relationships and data sharing agreements with a wide range of private and government institutions across the continent.

“We know the terrain physically and institutionally, with a track record of delivering data driven solutions that optimise planning and improve service delivery at scale,” says Rochelle Mountany, CEO of AfriGIS.

Building on this legacy is Resolve Water – the result of a collaboration between geospatial technology experts, sustainability leaders and data scientists. It is a platform for partnership where the public and private sectors can come together, grounded in shared insight and mutual interest. It is the data that will build trust between the two parties.

The launch of Resolve Water marks a significant milestone in AfriGIS’s ongoing mission to support Africa’s adaptation to climate change.

“Water is the frontline of climate change in Africa – and the private sector is more exposed than most realise. While climate risk is a global and often abstract challenge, water risk is immediate, measurable and profoundly local – shaped by geography, infrastructure, and governance. This makes water risk both more tangible and solvable, provided businesses and governments have the right data at their disposal,” states Mountany.

Better data makes better decisions

She believes that accessible, real-time, and location-specific insights can help businesses understand their water-related vulnerabilities and opportunities.

“As demand for water continues to increase, so does the need for clarity, precision, foresight and collaboration in the space.  Until now, water risk data has been siloed, fragmented, and hard to access in a way that is useful for decision-makers.”

Helen Hulett, chief sustainability officer at AfriGIS echoes that sentiment, “Over the past few years, I’ve worked with both local and international companies to identify and assess their water-related risks, and to develop effective mitigation strategies. I’ve found that localised data is often scarce, and the information that does exist is typically spread across multiple platforms.”

For example, a company with over 100 different branches on the continent needs very specific location data such as plans within catchment areas, the implementation of those plans, the performance of water service authorities and water service providers, the condition of water infrastructure as well as changing regulations, tariffs and policies. Companies need to understand what is happening to the reservoir up the road and the pipelines that link to their premises.

“The key lies in the way that data translates into actionable insights – helping businesses and governments make informed, location-specific decisions. While conversations around water risk are happening at board-level, there is little confidence to make decisions around water risk mitigation projects that require substantial capital expenditure. Non-revenue  water statistics or chemical oxygen demand parameters do not motivate a board to take action. That data needs to be transformed into insights around impact on production, reputation, future operations and return on investment. Our goal is to close that gap between data and decision making. There are viable solutions to the water crisis, but their capital expenditure needs to be properly justified,” says Hulett.

This inspired the development of Resolve Water. Built on a geospatial and data backbone, Resolve Water’s platform integrates and enhances existing water data from a variety of sources, including government databases, high resolution satellite services, predictive modelling and meteorological agencies, into a single decision-ready interface.

Resolve Water can assist businesses to:

• Map water supply chain risks: From source to site, identifying quality and volume risks to ensure resilience and sustainable growth planning.
• Quantify mitigation efforts: Linking risks to returns by measuring the financial, social, and environmental payback of water mitigation actions.
• Facilitate partnerships: Create visibility across public, private, and financial sectors to encourage collaboration on water risk management.
• Align with ESG goals: Provide businesses with the tools needed to meet regulatory requirements and drive genuine transformation within their industries.

An ambitious vision

AfriGIS believes that  Africa’s water crisis is an urgent challenge, but it is not an insurmountable one. “With the right data, strategic foresight, and collaborative effort, the continent can build a more water-resilient future. Resolve Water is a transformative platform that can fundamentally shift how water risks are managed going forward. It can help address water risk head-on, and unlock new opportunities for growth, investment, and sustainable development across Africa,” adds Hulett.

“Our goal with Resolve Water is to move businesses from passive awareness to proactive decision-making. With better data, companies can begin to make more informed choices about where to locate operations, which suppliers to partner with, and how to structure investments. We want to give the private sector the confidence to invest in water resilience projects,” states Mountany.

With better data, financial institutions can adjust lending criteria based on water stress in the regions where their clients operate. Insurers can develop more accurate models that factor in water-related risks when underwriting policies. And corporates can work collaboratively to protect water resources across their supply chains and comply with environmental legislation.

Competitive edge of water resilience

“We believe water security is set to become a new competitive edge. As global regulatory frameworks tighten around climate and nature-related risks, the ability to manage water risk will become a key differentiator. By integrating water risk into business strategy and finance, companies can position themselves as leaders in sustainable development.  Resolve Water has the ability to turn complex water data into strategic business decisions. This could lead to better access to financing, improved ESG ratings, and ultimately, greater long-term profitability,” concludes Hulett.