Pure water was invented as an innovative solution to the lack of reliable public water infrastructure in most West African countries. It would go on to transform how millions accessed potable water. Thirty years later, sachet water has become a multibillion-dollar industry throughout West Africa.
From Ice Water to Pure Water
The birth of sachet water in Nigeria was a direct response to lack of public water infrastructure. Before the mid-90s, Nigerians purchased “ice water“—small portions of water tied up in transparent white nylons and sold commercially. Ice water was sold out of buckets and often bought with coins. However, this rudimentary packaging offered little protection against contamination.
Everything changed in 1994 when Sir Isaac Adeagbo Akinpade established Deagbo Industries Limited (DIL) in Ibadan, Oyo State. He would pioneer Nigeria’s first sachet water production with his DIL Pure Water. This innovation coincided with and in some instances, inspired similar developments across West Africa.
This new phenomenon earned its nickname “pure water” through clever marketing strategies that distinguished it from its fore-runner, the untreated and unfiltered “ice water.” This branding gave the new product a perception of safety and quality that resonated with consumers who had few drinking water options. Also, it was lightweight and portable and this made it preferable to traditional alternatives like pottery jars or bulky jerrycans.
By the late 1990s, more sophisticated machines made water sealing more efficient and accessible. And by 2000, NAFDAC endorsed the product. Originally a solution to water scarcity and initially projected to be a passing trend, this phenomenon rapidly evolved into a booming industry, creating what Nairametrics now identifies as “Nigeria’s most sold commodity.”
Becoming An Economic Powerhouse
Anyone could establish small-scale production facilities with minimal investment. With machines that could produce anything from a few bags to those that could produce hundreds, the business could be set up at scale. All that the business required was access to tap water, water filters and a refrigerator. The industry’s low entry barriers contributed to its explosive growth.
This accessibility transformed the sector into a significant job creator. It allowed millions of Nigerians to earn livelihoods through producing, distributing and retailing the product.
According to NAFDAC, as of 2017, over 10 million sachets of pure water are consumed daily in Nigeria. Many entrepreneurs have built houses, purchased vehicles and funded their education and that of family members using the profits they generated from one of few businesses that created a new class of small business owners.
The Environmental Cost of Convenience
Despite its economic benefits, sachet water creates peculiar ecological challenges. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Nigerians discard an estimated 50-60 million sachets daily, primarily in urban centres like Lagos. These low-grade plastic sachets take 30-40 years to decompose, contributing to widespread environmental degradation.
The environmental impact manifests in multiple ways. They block drainage systems and cause increased flooding during rainy seasons. Water bodies into which they are thrown are clogged and aquatic ecosystems are disrupted. Also, the sachets decompose slowly, this causes land where they are thrown into as landfills to degrade over time. Even when burned, they pollute the air with toxic chemicals.
The Road Ahead
The story of pure water is a testament to the ingenuity of African entrepreneurs responding to critical infrastructure gaps. It is also a lesson in the unintended consequences when sustainable planning lags behind a rapidly growing market.
As Africa’s population grows toward one billion by 2050, so will the ecological stress if sachet water remains the primary source of drinking water. The entrepreneurs who built the sachet water industry demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in addressing a critical need. That same innovative spirit now invites African entrepreneurs to tackle the novel challenge of providing more sustainable access to clean water and to create new industries and opportunities in the process.
Automatic water dispensers are one of the most promising developments. These are already appearing in cities like Dakar. They allow consumers to refill reusable containers with purified water at affordable prices. This model maintains accessibility while at the same time, dramatically reduces plastic waste. These models represent the future of water access in West Africa.
