Rabat – In a surprising Morocco milestone, Dr. Salma Bugalani made history by becoming the first female Moroccan entrepreneur to reach the top three finalists in the Respected African Business Heroes (ABH) www.africabusinessheroes.org/ Award competition.
Dr. Bougarrani, co-founder and CEO behind Green Waterch (https://apo-opa.co/4jrjznv), came in first place.
She doesn't just advance sanitation for the rural community. She also burns the path of female entrepreneurs in an industry where women are often not noticed or heard.
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.
Awareness from ABH, the flagship charity program of the Jack MA Foundation in Africa, is consistent with its mission to spotlight and support local talent, such as Dr. Bougarrani, who drives positive change in the community.
For over a decade, the program aims to honor 100 African entrepreneurs while providing grants, training and broader ecosystem support to nurture African entrepreneurship.
Dr. Bougarrani's journey into the world of water and sanitation began with a direct observation of untreated wastewater causing havoc in a Moroccan village.
Witnessing these difficulties sparked her passion for creating sustainable solutions, leading her to leave the academia world and pursue a career in entrepreneurship.
In 2018, she formed Greenwatic to allow rural communities access to affordable, energy-efficient sanitation systems.
She holds a PhD in Advanced Water Treatment Processes from Med v University and Leipzig University.
Influence your life through sustainable innovation
At the heart of Green Waterch's innovation is a groundbreaking soil-based filtration system that provides a means to treat wastewater for agricultural irrigation.
Unlike expensive, energy-hungry technology, all of this system is low-maintenance, budget-friendly and sustainable.
By reducing the need for freshwater by up to 70%, Greenwatic is changing the water management environment in Morocco.
Since its founding, Green Waterch has transformed the lives of over 30,000 people in 17 Moroccan villages and farms.
The company cleans more than 200 million liters of wastewater, which helps with water shortages and makes the farm more productive. Thanks to Green Waterch's participatory model, communities are actively involved in the process.
Villagers are taught how to set up, maintain and grow hygiene systems through training programs that promote resilience and sustainability in the long run.
Green Waterch's soil-based filter system also reduces the need to use freshwater in crops.
It provides rural people with long-term, inexpensive, and easy to protect answers.
The company plans to grow beyond Morocco in the future. It aims to reach North Africa and elsewhere in the year.
Decompose barriers as an ABH Trailblazer
Dr. Bougarrani's first perception of Moroccan entrepreneur was placed among the top three finalists of the ABH competition.
Her success ignores cultural expectations and gender norms in areas dominated by male entrepreneurs.
Her achievements serve as a role model for volunteering as a female entrepreneur across Africa, highlighting her technical expertise and leadership abilities.
Her work in sustainable water management has gained her global recognition. She has received the highest honors, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Grand Prize.
The Future of Green Watche
Dr. Bougarrani plans to return the $150,000 prize to Greenwatic to help more African communities get in trouble.
She has an ambitious goal of reaching 1 million end users by 2030. Her career is a remarkable example of someone with strong will and passion being able to break barriers, challenge stereotypes and raise the entire community.
2025 ABH application is open
African entrepreneurs who want to take part in the 2025 edition of the contest and win a chance to win a share of USD 1.5 million can do so at https://africabusinesseroes.org/en/register.
