In Benin, the startup SsAfe is developing an innovation that aims to transform water management at the household level. Led by chemical engineer Marielle Agbahoungbata and two associated researchers, the project is based on an intelligent filtering robot capable of analyzing and treating water according to its pollution level.

Presented at a UNESCO conference in Paris, France, dedicated to African women in tech and artificial intelligence, the device sparked interest among participants. The goal is to offer a solution suitable for both urban and rural areas.

“It’s a robot we’re developing, capable of analyzing water and, depending on the types and quantities of pollutants, determining the appropriate treatment. This can be for irrigation, laundry, or even drinking water. The robot saves time and energy. Integrated artificial intelligence also determines the quantities of reagents needed for the treatment,” explains Marielle Agbahoungbata.

Still in the prototype stage, the robot is not expected to be operational until 2027. But already, its designers are focusing on an inclusive approach, notably through a voice interface designed for local African languages.

“We are developing a voice assistant integrated into the robot, capable of conversing with people in local African languages to facilitate access to water. A woman in a rural area will be able to interact with the machine in her language, without necessarily having been educated. We are working in particular on Fon, Bambara, Swahili and Wolof,” she explains.

The project received a $30,000 grant from UNESCO as part of its support for women's initiatives in technology. The startup SsAfe is now seeking additional funding to finalize the development of the robot, still called Watt Air, and deploy it to more households in Benin.