Having grown up in Madagascar, where access to water remains a major challenge, this trained engineer has committed himself to finding concrete solutions to the problem. 

Mamitina Rolando Randriamanarivo (photo), a Malagasy entrepreneur, focused his early career on engineering and digital technologies. After earning a bachelor's degree in mechanical and industrial engineering from the École Polytechnique of Antananarivo in 2022, he quickly developed a strong interest in water access, a significant challenge in his home country.

His commitment to addressing this issue led to the creation of Inomawa, a digital platform launched in 2025. Inomawa connects freelance workers in the water sector—including water carriers, well diggers, plumbers, and canal cleaners—with residents in both rural and urban communities. The platform's objective is to facilitate access to essential services, generate local economic opportunities, and enhance community water management.

The Inomawa platform allows users to request water-related services through a web application or via SMS, ensuring accessibility even for individuals without smartphones. This model addresses a dual challenge: it provides a stable income source for informal-sector workers, while simultaneously improving households' access to and quality of water services.

Randriamanarivo's innovative project earned him first prize at the Challenge App Afrique 2025, an annual competition organized by RFI and France 24 that recognizes socially impactful digital innovations across the continent. The award includes €15,000 in funding to accelerate the platform’s rollout and amplify its impact.

"In Madagascar, I hope Inomawa will serve as an emergency solution to water shortages and offer a practical, highly accessible option for people dealing with this everyday problem," Randriamanarivo said.

By Melchior Koba,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji