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ONE expands safe water partnership to Nigeria with new community project

05 Oct 2026, 11:18 am
Financial Nigeria
ONE expands safe water partnership to Nigeria with new community project

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Shipping company funds first Project Maji initiative in Nigeria, bringing solar-powered water access to underserved Pegi community.


Ocean Network Express (ONE) has expanded its partnership with safe water social enterprise Project Maji into Nigeria, funding a new solar-powered water project aimed at improving access to clean and reliable water in the rural community of Pegi.

The initiative marks Project Maji's first project in Nigeria and follows earlier collaborations between the two organisations in Ghana and Kenya.

Under the project, ONE is funding the installation of a Mini Maji solar-powered water kiosk that will provide a sustainable source of safe water to Pegi, a farming community of approximately 2,900 people that faces significant water supply challenges.

Residents currently depend largely on rainwater and a single private water vendor whose operations rely on an often-unreliable electricity supply. The community's relative isolation and limited infrastructure make it difficult for residents to access alternative water sources, particularly during the rainy season.

According to the organisations, preparatory work has already been completed, including pump and water quality testing, with installation of the kiosk expected to begin shortly.

The project forms part of ONE's broader commitment to supporting communities across Sub-Saharan Africa beyond its core shipping operations.

Tomohiro Hosaka, Managing Director for ONE Europe and Africa, said access to safe water has a direct impact on health and quality of life.

"We are pleased to once again partner with Project Maji and sponsor their inaugural project in Nigeria, bringing safe, clean water to the Pegi community," he said. "A reliable supply of safe water close to home matters to every family's health and daily routine."

Hosaka added that supporting local communities remains a central element of the company's corporate social responsibility strategy.

Project Maji founder and Chief Executive Sunil Lalvani said the Nigeria project represented an important milestone in the organisation's expansion across Africa.

"ONE has been a committed partner to Project Maji as we have worked to bring reliable water access to communities across Africa, and it means a great deal to have them alongside us as we take this important first step into Nigeria," Lalvani said.

He described Pegi as a community where safe water remains difficult to access and said the project aims to provide a long-term, dependable service rather than simply install infrastructure.

Project Maji develops and maintains solar-powered water systems for underserved communities. The organisation says it has deployed more than 450 water points across Ghana, Kenya and Uganda, serving nearly half a million people. It launched operations in Nigeria in September 2026 and has set a goal of providing clean water to one million people by 2030.

ONE, headquartered in Singapore, is one of the world's largest container shipping companies, operating more than 280 vessels and serving over 120 countries through its global shipping network.

The Pegi project is expected to deliver a more reliable water supply for residents while supporting health, community resilience and local economic development.


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