In a remarkable milestone for Morocco’s entrepreneurial scene, Dr. Salma Bougarrani made history by becoming the first female Moroccan entrepreneur to reach the top three finalists in the esteemed Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition — Jack Ma Foundation’s flagship philanthropic program that spotlights and celebrates impactful African entrepreneurs
Finishing as the 1st runner-up, Dr. Bougarrani is the co-founder and CEO of Green Watech. She’s not just pushing sanitation forward for many rural communities in Morocco, she’s also blazing a trail for women entrepreneurs in an industry where women are often not noticed or heard from. Her inspiring leadership, technical knowledge, and commitment to making a difference have seen her rise as a business leader in the water and sanitation industry.
Dr. Bougarrani’s journey into the world of water and sanitation began with her firsthand observations of untreated wastewater wreaking havoc in Moroccan villages. Witnessing these difficulties sparked her passion for creating sustainable solutions, leading her to leave academia and pursue a career in entrepreneurship.
With her knowledge and as a holder of a PhD in Advanced Water Treatment Processes from Mohammed V University and Leipzig University, she formed Green Watech in 2018 to give rural communities access to energy-efficient sanitation systems at an affordable price.
Green Watech is a groundbreaking soil-based filtration system that provides the means to treat wastewater for agricultural irrigation. Unlike expensive, energy-hungry technologies, this system is all about being low-maintenance, budget-friendly, and sustainable, perfect for rural communities that often struggle with limited infrastructure. By cutting down the need for fresh water by as much as 70%, Green Watech is transforming the water management landscape in Morocco.
Since its inception, Green Watech has changed the lives of over 30,000 people in 17 Moroccan villages —and has cleaned more than 200 million litres of wastewater, which helps with water shortages and makes farms more productive. Because of its participatory model, local communities actively participate in the process. Villagers are taught how to set up, maintain, and grow sanitation systems through training programs, which promote resilience and sustainability in the long run.
Green Watech’s soil-based filter system also cuts down on the need to use fresh water for crops. It offers a long-lasting, cheap, and easy-to-keep-up answer for people in rural areas.
Dr. Bougarrani plans to expand Green Watech beyond Morocco in the future. She aims to reach North Africa and other places later this year with the help of the US$150,000 (approx. MAD1.5 million, UGX556.2 million) grant she secured as the first runner-up in the ABH Prize Competition.
Dr. Bougarrani has an ambitious goal to reach 1 million end-users by 2030.
Breaking down barriers as an ABH trailblazer
Dr. Bougarrani’s recognition as the first Moroccan entrepreneur to be placed among the top three finalists in the ABH competition is significant. Her success defies cultural expectations and gender norms in a field where male entrepreneurs predominate. Her accomplishment is a role model for aspiring African female entrepreneurs and highlights her technical expertise and leadership abilities.
Her work in sustainable water management has gained her worldwide recognition. She has received top honours, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Grand Prize.
