In a country where millions still struggle to access clean water daily, OneWon Water and Integrated Solutions is proving that innovation, data, and local expertise can bridge one of Nigeria’s most persistent gaps; sustainable access to safe water.
As part of Techparley’s DRIVE100, where we spotlight Africa’s most promising startups, we explore how Kabir Atobatele, the Founder and CEO of OneWon Water and Integrated Solutions, is using data and technology to tackle Nigeria’s water insecurity and empower communities with sustainable access to clean water.
Through a blend of scientific precision and digital monitoring, OneWon is making clean water more reliable, affordable, and community-managed.
“We tackle Nigeria’s chronic water insecurity caused by inefficient borehole drilling, poor data use, and lack of local expertise. OneWon provides a data-driven, end-to-end water management solution integrating geophysical surveys, precision drilling, water treatment, and real-time monitoring,” Kabir told Techparley.
How OneWon is Fixing Nigeria’s Water Problem
Nigeria’s water insecurity is as much a data problem as it is an infrastructure challenge. Across the country, boreholes fail prematurely, communities waste scarce resources, and local institutions struggle with maintenance.
According to Kabir, OneWon’s approach is refreshingly different. The company provides an end-to-end, data-driven water management system, from geophysical surveys and precision drilling to water treatment and real-time digital monitoring.
By using data to identify reliable groundwater sources and monitor performance remotely, OneWon ensures every drop counts.
The startup says it is redefining how communities, schools, and institutions in Nigeria access, manage, and sustain water systems.
What This Means
Unlike traditional drilling companies, OneWon combines engineering, analytics, and community engagement into one integrated service.
While competitors like PureFlow and AquaTech focus on isolated drilling or treatment services, OneWon says it leverages scientific mapping tools and digital monitoring systems to deliver holistic, sustainable solutions.
Communities not only get clean and consistent water but also benefit from local training programmes that build technical capacity and promote community ownership.
“Our unique value lies in blending technology with human capacity building,” Kabir says. “We don’t just install water systems — we empower communities to manage and sustain them.”
The Team Powering OneWon’s Mission
At the core of OneWon’s success is a multidisciplinary team driven by both expertise and empathy.
- Kabir Atobatele Aremu (CEO) – Leads overall strategy, with years of experience in sustainable water systems and data-based project design.
- Ojeniyi Janet (Technical Lead) – A geophysical and drilling specialist ensuring precision and system reliability.
- Kilaso Emmanuel (Community Outreach Coordinator) – Oversees partnerships and local training for capacity development.
- Atobatele Abdulroheem (Financial Officer) – Manages budgeting, funding, and project reporting.
Since inception, Kabir revealed OneWon and the team has made tangible progress across Ogun, Oyo, and Lagos States, with pilot projects serving over 2,000 individuals in schools, hospitals, and rural communities.
Challenges and How OneWon Is Overcoming Them
As with most startups in Africa’s sustainability space, OneWon’s journey has not been without hurdles. Funding remains limited, and there is low awareness about data-driven water management. Local capacity for maintenance is also weak.
However, OneWon is responding with digital outreach campaigns, technical workshops, and partnerships with CSR-focused organisations to promote both education and adoption.
“We’re closing the gap between innovation and accessibility,” Kabir notes. “By teaching communities how to manage water systems and leveraging digital tools, we’re building long-term resilience.”
Reflecting on the broader ecosystem, Kabir identifies poor digital infrastructure, limited access to funding, and talent retention as major challenges.
A Vision for Expansion and Impact
The next few years are critical for OneWon’s growth trajectory. In the next 12 months, the startup said it plans to:
- Launch five community projects.
- Deploy a digital platform for real-time water monitoring and reporting.
Over the next 2–3 years, OneWon aims to expand across southwestern Nigeria, train more than 100 local technicians, and build institutional partnerships for greater scale.
By 2029, Kabir says the goal is clear: to become West Africa’s leading provider of sustainable, tech-enabled water solutions.
“Our focus is also to build partnerships with institutions, and become a regional leader in sustainable, tech-enabled water solutions across West Africa,” Kabir said.
On Policy, AI, and the Future of Innovation
Kabir believes the government’s role in enabling innovation cannot be overstated. If given the reins as Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, he noted he would establish capacity-building hubs, promote open-data policies, and drive digital literacy programmes in rural areas.
The total annual water demand in Nigeria was approximately 5.93 billion m³ in 2021 and is projected to increase significantly, potentially reaching 16.58 billion m³/year by 2030. This demand is driven by various sectors, including domestic, agricultural, and industrial use.
This confluence of large unmet demand, fragmented service delivery and accelerating digital adoption presents a meaningful opportunity for integrated solutions such as those offered by OneWon.
According to industry leaders, OneWon Water and Integrated Solutions is not just digging boreholes; it’s digging a path to dignity and sustainability. By merging technology with social inclusion, the startup is showing how Africa’s toughest problems can be solved from within.
Talking Points
It is remarkable that OneWon Water and Integrated Solutions is approaching Nigeria’s water crisis from a data-driven perspective, a rare and much-needed shift in a sector long dominated by manual drilling and fragmented project execution.
By combining geophysical mapping, digital monitoring, and local skill training, OneWon is addressing three of the biggest pain points in Nigeria’s water sector. This integrated model ensures not only clean water but also long-term system performance.
At Techparley, we see how such innovation could redefine the future of water access in Africa. OneWon’s use of technology to enhance transparency and precision in water projects sets a new benchmark for accountability and impact in community infrastructure.
The startup’s focus on capacity building also deserves praise. By training local technicians and empowering communities to manage their systems, OneWon is bridging the gap between innovation and inclusion, ensuring solutions last long after installation.
With the right investment and policy support, OneWon has the potential to become a continental leader in sustainable, tech-enabled water management, setting a powerful example of how innovation can solve Africa’s most persistent infrastructural challenges.
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