Partnerships - Sanitation Solutions Group

Since September 2014, SSG has worked on different market-based sanitation engagements which include the following:

Sanitation Marketing Survey and Business Model Development for Bulangira and Namalu Small Urban councils Safe Water and Sanitation Project – Water Aid Uganda (November 2015 to January 2016):

Under this assignment, SSG conducted a market assessment aimed at understanding the demand for sanitation products, the market trends, and drivers for sanitation. SSG also carried out a supply chain analysis to establish existing sanitation products and services in the market as well as existing service providers and distribution channels for the products. Additionally, a financial situational analysis was conducted in order to establish likely sources of WASH financing.

Market Study to establish consumer attitudes and preferences between using savings or credit in relation to acquiring WASH products and services in Mukono, Wakiso, Masaka, and Kampala (July 2015) – FINCA Plus
Market Study to identify the market potential for entrepreneurial financing in WASH in Mukono and Wakiso (March 2015) – FINCA Plus
Development of Rural Supply Chain for Sanitation Products (November 2014 – September 2015)– SNV Uganda

Under this phased assignment, SSG trained rural sanitation entrepreneurs in Rwenzori and West Nile regions on the installation of different sanitation products and technologies including SaTo Pan latrine improvement pans, slabs and latrine pit types. This was aimed at increasing private sector involvement in improved sanitation provision in SNV focus districts. SSG also established a rural distribution and supply mechanism for sanitation products through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) and Local Capacity Builders (LCBs). Additionally, SSG provided sanitation marketing and business training to LCBs.

DuraSan Prefabricated Modular Latrine Product and Business Model Development

From September 2014, SSG developed a business model for the DuraSan, a pre-fabricated concrete modular latrine. SSG developed a supply chain for manufacturing and distribution of the DuraSan including identifying and training local fabricators to manufacture latrine components like concrete blocks, slabs and metal doors.

SSG trained installation teams on actual installation of the latrine. SSG also developed a latrine upgrading model to cater for households that were interested in upgrading their existing structures rather than constructing an entirely new latrine. Upgrading includes options like painting, slab replacement, tiling, pan installation and general plumbing.

SSG has also provided training to salespeople in marketing of the product, communications, selling techniques, and the sanitation loan process, which resulted in construction of over 120 latrine stances in 2015 alone.

Gulping Business Model Development

From September 2014, SSG developed a business model for Gulper latrine emptying and hygienic waste disposal specifically targeting low income urban slum households. (The Gulper is a manual emptying technology that is used for emptying latrines specifically in inaccessible areas that cannot be reached by cesspool trucks). SSG provided training and capacity building to entrepreneurs (both technical training on use of the Gulper and business training on implementation of the business model).  Development of Sanitation Finance Products – Water.org and VAD MFI / SSG Between April and September 2015, SSG partnered with Water.org and VADMFI, a local microfinance institution in Kampala to provide sanitation loans to customers constructing or upgrading latrines in Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso. This encouraged uptake of improved sanitation products by households with approximately 30% of latrine customers taking a WASH loan facility during 2015.

Assessing viability of sanitation business models – GIZ / SSG

In April 2016, SSG was contracted by GIZ Reform of Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector (RUWASS) to assess viable sanitation business options and develop sanitation business models/strategy for six small urban councils in Northern Uganda. The assignment involved assessing the current sanitation service delivery situation in the six urban councils and drawing recommendations to improve private sector involvement to undertake sustained service delivery in the urban councils. In addition, SSG developed a comprehensive market-based strategy and individual business model(s) for sanitation service delivery and products across the sanitation value chain, including guidelines for operationalization for the strategy and the business model(s). SSG also selected and trained enterprises and entrepreneurs to undertake sanitation businesses in the six urban councils.

Testing pit emptying technologies – GIZ Zambia / SSG

In June 2017, SSG was contracted by GIZ Zambia to test the Gulper in close collaboration with key stakeholders i.e. Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC) and Lusaka City Council (LCC), GIZ and Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP) through emptying of existing sanitation facilities to investigate the effectiveness, efficiency, acceptability and user-friendliness within the Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) Market in Lusaka. SSG also proposed a viable business model during the debriefing workshop in close collaboration with WSUP that took into consideration acceptability by the operators and affordability by the customers.

Concrete modular latrine.

SSG developed a supply chain for manufacturing and distribution of the DuraSan including identifying and training local fabricators to manufacture latrine components like concrete blocks, slabs and metal doors.

Sanitation Market Assessment for Kabarole District – IRC Uganda / SSG

From June to September 2018, SSG conducted a sanitation market assessment for IRC Uganda in Kabarole District. The objective of the assignment was to determine the overall size of the rural sanitation market and the demand for different services/products across the sanitation value chain, assess capacities of sanitation service providers/entrepreneurs to deliver sustainable services and develop proposals on the enabling environment required for the sanitation market to thrive. Subsequently, SSG provided technical and business training to local entrepreneurs in Kabarole on the Gulper emptying technology and business model.

Uganda Sanitation for Health Activity (USHA) – USAID Tetra Tech

The Uganda Sanitation for Health Activity (USHA) is a five-year program (effective January 2018) financed by USAID and implemented by Tetra Tech ARD Inc. and partners SNV, SSG, FSG, and BRAC. Working in up to 25 districts, S4H will introduce a series of contemporary and integrated water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions at the community and household levels that will lead to three intermediate results:

– Increased household access to sanitation and water services;
– Key hygiene behaviors at home, school, and health facilities adopted and expanded;
– Strengthened district water and sanitation governance for sustainable services.

SSG is an approved local subcontractor on USHA, responsible for developing district sanitation business plans, working closely with another Tetra Tech subcontractor, FSG, to contribute to the development of a National Sanitation Marketing Plan, training local artisans to install sanitation solutions and mentoring local entrepreneurs engaged in market based sanitation services delivery in the S4H districts

For more on partnerships, click on the links below:

SSG joins GIZ’s ‘Sanitation For Millions’ project to improve sanitation in Apac

Busoga masons, pit diggers trained on new Market Based Sanitation Implementation Approach