The Water Research Commission (WRC) will on September 3, launch the Next Generation Sanitation (NGS) Knowledge Hub, a digital platform dedicated to promoting waterless sanitation innovation across Africa.

This new platform aims to build a sustainable sanitation industry by addressing the unique water and sanitation challenges faced by countries on the continent.

The NGS Knowledge Hub will serve as a comprehensive resource for stakeholders, providing access to service providers, funding opportunities, and data on advanced, closed-circuit sanitation systems that recycle wastewater into clean water for flushing or irrigation - without needing sewer connections, treatment plants, or continuous electricity.

The platform invites manufacturers, policymakers, development partners, and advocates to join its community, gaining access to a wide range of resources, including:

• Tools for promoting and advocating NGS solutions
• Policy briefs to support industrialisation
• A curated database of funding and technical assistance partners
• Opportunities for partnerships and collaborations
• Case studies and associated benefits
• Insights from NGS data and research
• A learning library and connections with a thriving NGS community

“We are thrilled to launch this Knowledge Hub platform to offer holistic and integrated solutions to meet the continent’s water and sanitation challenges and contribute directly to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and National Development Plans.

"The platform will streamline up-to-date data and insights, improve communication among stakeholders and suppliers, and facilitate the adoption of these innovations for policymakers, manufacturers, independent contractors, and governments,” said Phillip Majeke, Commercialisation Manager for The South African Sanitation Technology Enterprise Programme (SASTEP).

NGS innovations offer adaptable designs that can seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure, catering to a range of entities, from educational institutions and manufacturing industries to public and private sectors, residential contractors, and municipal bodies.

The systems meet stringent requirements set by local Departments of Environmental Affairs, Water, and Sanitation.

The virtual launch of the platform will take place on September 3, 2024, featuring an expert panel discussing the policy, research, and market access for new sanitation technologies in Africa.