The Rope Pump - The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

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improving their services, but are Ghana, initially supporting severalultimately responsible for the operationand maintenance of their faciliteedpurchase schemes and by under-local manufacturers through guaranties,drawing upon the private sector taking outreach work with communitiesin order to install a number of trialfor goods and services.CWSA presently supports the installationof four types of pumps, but finds be scaled up. The manufacturing of thepumps. If successful, the project couldits reliance on imports for both the pumps would be entirely privatelypumps and spare parts to be problematic.CWSA would thus like to promote duction, installation and repair basefinanced, allowing a sustainable pro-the local manufacture of lower cost to develop.pumps in Ghana. With the financial Following the CWSA visit to Nicaragua,the WSP agreed to fund a three-support of a World Bank-supportedproject, CWSA staff made a short visit phase transfer process. Under the firstto Nicaragua in May of 1999 to investigatethe potential for transferring the tify several Ghanaian workshops suit-phase in 1999, BOMESA helped iden-rope pump to Ghana. Representatives able for the production of the ropemet with the Technology Transfer Divisionof BOMESA, a division that has als required for manufacturing waspump. The local availability of materi-been set up with the help of both confirmed while some parts (such asENACAL and SDC. They were suitably the ceramic guide box and the pistons)impressed by the efficiency, reliability, were supplied from Nicaragua duringlow cost, and availability of rope pumps the initial phases of the transfer. Thein Nicaragua and saw potential for capacity for producing these partsprivate sector development of the in-country was found to exist and willpump in Ghana.ensure long-term local supply. Productionhas now commenced in GhanaCWSA wanted to nurture a localproduction base for the pumps within and several pumps have been success-The production of the first pump in Sindigo, Savelugu District, Northern Region of Ghana.fully installed. Representatives of theworkshops in Ghana have since visitedNicaragua to undergo further trainingin both technical and marketing issues.The key to this technology transferhas been its ‘South-South’ nature.Many of the characteristics of the ruralareas and the local private sector aresimilar in the two countries, and prospectsfor establishing a financially selfsustainingprivate sector base for theproduction, installation and repair ofrope pumps in Ghana is good. TheWorld Bank, WSP and CWSA havebeen deeply involved during the earlystages of the transfer. It is expected,however, that both demand and supplyfor rope pumps will flourish independentlyafter this initial support.TechnologyTransfer: ThePotentialUnlike many past examplesof technology transfersfrom the ‘North’, the transfer for therope pump from Nicaragua to Ghanaoffers great promise. It is based on theidea that the private sector of differentcountries can come together in mutuallybeneficial cooperation to manufactureand sell the rope pump. The partnershipoffers great potential for theprivate sector in both countries – withcooperation, both sides can benefitfrom the demand for a low-cost, reliablehandpump.With respect to the specifics of thetechnology transfer and capacity forcompanies to launch this type of product,several significant factors are outlinedhere.4
THE TRANSFERPROCESSThe transfer process from Nicaraguato Ghana consisted of threephases.Phase I (November 15 to November26, 1999):Technical assistance provided viacorrespondence and a two-weekvisit by BOMESA to the Ghanaianauthorities to help with selectionof suitable manufacturers, confirmthe availability of materials, supplytechnology transfer manuals,and help commence production.Phase II (February 7 to February10, 2000):BOMESA hosted two Ghanaiantechnicians in Nicaragua for furthertraining, dealing with the automatizationof production, marketingtechniques and financialmanagement.Phase III (June 19 to June 30,2000):Installation of the trial-run of 100pumps in Ghana, further technicalassistance from BOMESA coveringquality control, branding andsteps to develop a durable relationshipbetween the Nicaraguanand Ghanaian manufacturers.This phase is to be followed by anevaluation of the pump’s localacceptance and performance inearly 2001.Institutional climateThe favorable institutional climatewas a key element in the successfulemergence of the pump in Nicaraguaand is important in determining thepotential for a successful transfer elsewhere.Resistance from the governmentor other agencies makes it verydifficult for sustainable private sectorprovision to take root.SupplyA local supply chain needs to be createdwith demonstrable links to thecommunity. It should also be shortenough so that rope pump manufacturingwill form an important part ofrevenue and encourage long-termcommitment by the supplier. Given thelow technology nature of the pump, theappropriate pump manufacture materialsshould be easily available in thecountry. Installation and repair requirementsalso need consideration, with theNicaraguan example providing a usefulmodel.Due to the simplicity of the pump, aspecific supply chain for spare parts isnot required. A majority of the partscan usually be found at the local groceror hardware shop.Quality controlQuality control of the raw materials,manufacturing, and the installationof the pump are key elements of success.A standard of quality should beagreed to and applied by the principalproducers in a country/region. Theexperience in Nicaragua has shownthat inferior reproductions of the pumpby ‘artisans’ that are cheaper andbelow standard can damage the reputationof the pump (see Supply ChainsSeries No.1: The Treadle Pump: AnNGO Introduces a Low-cost IrrigationPump to Bangladesh).DemandA WSP study Rural Water Supply inNicaragua: The Rope Pump indicatesthat demand should be high whereverthere are a large number of lowincomerural households with no accessto piped distribution water. A traditionof using family wells for drinking wateris helpful, as this will facilitate ropepump adoption and lower the capitalcost where existing wells can be used.Evidence also indicates that in thebeginning the role of state extensionagencies, NGOs, and donors will beextremely important in mobilizingdemand for the pump. BOMESA stressesthat a successful trial installation, withproduct quality assured and followed bymarketing and information campaigns,is of great importance. Demand mustprove sustainable once initial supportis withdrawn.FinancingFinancing and willingness to pay forproducers is critical to the success ofthe transfer. If manufacturers requireseed capital, governments or donorscould provide this. This should takeplace preferably in the initial phasesonly. In Ghana a guaranteed initialpurchase provided the incentive todevelop initial production capacity.The need for independent costrecovery by the private operators cannotbe overstated. If this is onlyachieved through distortions in themarket, due to government or donorintervention, then production willremain dependent upon such distortions.Support to marketingMarketing and promotion areextremely important in establishing thedemand for the pump. To promotesustainability, the manufacturer shouldincorporate costs of marketing into theprice of the pump. Careful brandingis also important. However, a large5
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The Rope Pump - The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

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