For residents of Ouagadougou, sleepless nights spent waiting for unreliable water supplies have long been a frustrating reality. But a simple, locally invented device called “Ti-Vuusé” (meaning “go rest” in the local Mooré language) is now transforming daily life for thousands by automating water collection.
A Solution to a Daily Struggle
Water shortages plague Burkina Faso’s capital, with 60% of the population facing rationing due to soaring demand and extreme heat. In some neighborhoods, taps run dry for more than three days, forcing families—particularly women—to stay awake at night, hoping to catch the brief return of running water.
Gabrielle Benadit, a resident, recalls the hardship: “It was exhausting—waiting for water or searching the neighborhood for it. But since 2024, with this system, everything has changed. I no longer need to stay awake. When the water comes, my barrel fills up automatically.”
How Ti-Vuusé Works
Invented by Asen Gambo, CEO of a water management engineering firm, the device is installed near household taps and activates only when water flows. Using locally sourced materials, it fills containers and shuts off when full or if water or power cuts occur. It can fill up to five drums and a poly tank, eliminating the need for manual monitoring.
Since its launch last year, 19,000 households in Ouagadougou have adopted Ti-Vuusé. Gambo’s team aims to expand across Burkina Faso and other African nations grappling with water scarcity.
Economic and Social Impact
Beyond convenience, the innovation is boosting local employment—devices are assembled in Burkina Faso, supporting economic growth. For families like Benadit’s, it means more sleep, less stress, and regained time.
As climate change intensifies water shortages, small-scale solutions like Ti-Vuusé could offer a lifeline to millions across the continent.
“Now, we can finally rest,” Benadit says—a sentiment echoing across the city.
