Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education Training and Research (RCGW)

What Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education Training and Research (RCGW) does

Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education, Training and Research (RCGW) is a Kenyan government research and training institution established in 2015 and operating under the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation (MoWSI). Headquartered in Nairobi, RCGW is mandated to spearhead groundwater research, education, training, and transboundary aquifer information management for Kenya and, increasingly, the Horn of Africa region. The institution serves national and county government agencies, water service providers, technical water-sector staff, and — indirectly — vulnerable communities in arid and semi-arid lands (83% of Kenya's land area) facing recurring drought impacts. Its core service lines are groundwater research (hydro chemical, hydrological, and hydrogeological data collection and analysis), training and capacity building, and public awareness.

RCGW's technical stack rests on partnerships providing world-class groundwater science: the GROWANA project deploys SkyTEM airborne electromagnetic technology (350m depth of investigation, proven in 60+ countries) in collaboration with GEUS, Aarhus University, SkyTEM, and Level Up Aviation, supported by the Embassy of Denmark in Kenya. Additional technical domains include Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems, gravimetric measurements via CNRS collaboration, and groundwater master planning for counties. Major programs include the World Bank-funded Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Programme (HoAGW4RP) and a UNESCO i-WSSM country office co-located at RCGW's premises. The institution is governed by a board chaired by Dr. Stephen Maore with CEO Geol. Agnes Mbugua, operating under a 2023-2027 Strategic Plan launched in November 2025.

The business model is non-commercial. RCGW does not charge for research, training, public awareness, or capacity building services. Funding flows through two streams: direct Kenyan government budgetary allocations via MoWSI and project-based grants from international development partners (Government of Denmark, World Bank, UNESCO, KOICA, AMCOW). Revenue/budget figures are not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market is event-driven, via workshops, courtesy calls with government officials, international water conferences, and direct government-to-government engagement with county-level authorities for groundwater master planning and assessment support.

Name

Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education Training and Research (RCGW)

Legal name

Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education Training and Research

Website

https://rcgw.go.ke

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education, Training and Research (RCGW) is a Kenyan government research institution under MoWSI that conducts groundwater research, training, and public awareness, serving national and county governments, water service providers, and Horn of Africa development partners through non-commercial, grant-funded programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Groundwater Research and Management Services

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Health & Consumer Confidence Reporting (CCR, boil-water advisories, notifications) (EUANAJAL)

Keywords

• Groundwater research
• Aquifer mapping services
• Water resource management
• Hydrogeology training
• Capacity building programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: RCGW is a government institution funded through the Ministry of Water Sanitation and Irrigation, receiving budgetary allocations from the Kenyan government for operational activities.
2. Development Partner Funding: International development partners including Danish government, World Bank (HoAGW4RP project), and UNESCO provide project funding and technical assistance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

RCGW is a Kenyan government research and training institution that delivers groundwater research, training, public awareness, and advisory services for sustainable groundwater management. It conducts hydro chemical, hydrological, and hydrogeological data collection and analysis, builds capacity in groundwater management through workshops and seminars, and supports national and county-level policy and master plan development.

Product overview

RCGW is a government research and training institution focused on sustainable groundwater management in Kenya. The organization offers a unified portfolio of research, training, and advisory services centered on groundwater resources. Core offerings include groundwater research (hydro chemical, hydrological, hydrogeological data collection and analysis), capacity building programs, and public awareness initiatives. Featured projects include the GROWANA airborne electromagnetic mapping project and the World Bank-funded Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Programme (HoAGW4RP). The institution also provides consultancy services for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) implementation and operates an internship program in partnership with government ministries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GROWANA: Groundwater Mapping in Nairobi project - a two-year Danish-Kenyan partnership using SkyTEM airborne electromagnetic technology to map the Nairobi Aquifer System, delivering water security for millions of Nairobi residents.
• HoAGW4RP (Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Programme)

Products and services

• Groundwater Research Services Data collection and analysis for hydro chemical, hydrological, and hydrogeological research on aquifer systems and groundwater resources for government ministries, county governments, and water sector stakeholders.
• Training and Capacity Building Capacity building through workshops, seminars, and technical training programs to develop groundwater management skills among water sector professionals and stakeholders.
• Public Awareness Programs Outreach initiatives and capacity building efforts to promote public understanding and responsible use of groundwater resources, targeting communities and stakeholders across Kenya.
• Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) Consultancy Services Professional consultancy services for groundwater mapping and assessment of Managed Aquifer Recharge areas in Nairobi, Eldoret, and Nakuru aquifer systems, provided to government and water sector clients.
• Groundwater Master Planning Assistance to county governments in developing groundwater master plans and conducting groundwater assessments for sustainable resource management.
• GROWANA Groundwater Mapping Project Two-year Danish-Kenyan partnership mapping the Nairobi Aquifer System using SkyTEM airborne electromagnetic technology to deliver 3D aquifer models and support water security for Nairobi residents.
• Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Programme (HoAGW4RP) World Bank-funded program aimed at building resilience of vulnerable communities through tapping and equitable use of Kenya's groundwater potential across arid and semi-arid lands.

Quantifiable outcome

• Water security for millions of Nairobi residents through 3D aquifer mapping models
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aarhus UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Danish university partner in the GROWANA project providing academic research support and expertise for groundwater mapping activities.
• UNESCO International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management (i-WSSM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 November 2024Five-year MOU (signed November 2022) for mutual cooperation in water-related programs, expertise exchange, capacity building, and joint workshops. An i-WSSM country office was opened at RCGW premises in November 2024.
• GEUS (Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish government research institution providing technical expertise for the GROWANA groundwater mapping project using SkyTEM technology to map the Nairobi Aquifer System.
• SkyTEMcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology provider for airborne electromagnetic survey equipment used in groundwater mapping, with proven technology in over 60 countries.
• Level Up AviationcoreTechnology or IntegrationAviation partner providing airborne survey capabilities for the SkyTEM groundwater mapping operations in the GROWANA project.
• Embassy of Denmark in KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish diplomatic mission facilitating the Kenyan-Danish Strategic Sector Cooperation Water programme and GROWANA project implementation.
• African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinental body convening consultative meetings at RCGW to develop the Strategic Programme on Groundwater for Water Security and Resilience in Africa, derived from the Africa Programme on Accelerated Groundwater Programme (APAGroP).
• Council of Governors (CoG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCGW Board Chairperson and CEO visited CoG CEO Mary Mwiti to establish collaboration areas including groundwater assessment in counties, capacity building, coordination, and development of groundwater master plans.
• Kenya Red Cross SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in MOU with Village Drill and WHO Lives to advance groundwater access and sanitation in vulnerable communities through the Kenya Red Cross Society network.
• Village DrillminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization collaborating with WHO Lives and Kenya Red Cross to accelerate sustainable groundwater solutions in Kenya's vulnerable communities.
• WHO LivesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization partnering to address water scarcity through groundwater access initiatives in Kenya's vulnerable communities.
• Ministry of Water Sanitation and Irrigation (MoWSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent ministry providing government support and policy framework for RCGW activities, including support for UNESCO i-WSSM partnership and groundwater projects.
• Davis & ShirtliffminorOthersKenyan water sector company attending MOU signing for groundwater access partnership.
• Korea Environment Corporation (KECO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorean government corporation represented at UNESCO i-WSSM office opening at RCGW, supporting water security programs through international cooperation.
• International Water Management Institute (IWMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research organization participating in AMCOW Groundwater Commission activities and strategic programme development.
• French Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench research institution collaborating with RCGW on gravimetric measurements training for subsurface exploration, including field work at Chyulu Hills.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IHE Delft Institute for Water Education: UNESCO Institute for water education, capacity building, and research. Closely comparable to RCGW on the training, capacity-building, and applied-research dimensions of its mandate.
• Water Research Commission (South Africa): South African government-funded water research, development, and capacity-building entity. Operates a near-identical mandate to RCGW: government-supported research funder driving water-sector knowledge, training, and innovation in a water-scarce African context.
• AMCOW — African Ministers' Council on Water: Continental body coordinating African water-sector policy and programmes. RCGW hosted AMCOW's consultative meeting in August 2025 and is a strategic groundwater partner within AMCOW's programme architecture.
• International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC): UNESCO-hosted global centre dedicated to groundwater resources assessment and information management. Highly comparable to RCGW as a groundwater-focused research, training, and assessment hub — RCGW already hosts a UNESCO i-WSSM country office and operates in the same groundwater-assessment domain.
• International Water Management Institute (IWMI): International research organisation managing water resources for food security and resilience. IWMI is already an RCGW partner in AMCOW's Groundwater Commission activities and operates a comparable mandate of research, policy support, and capacity building on water resources.
• GEUS — Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland: Danish national geological survey providing technical expertise on the GROWANA project. GEUS is a direct analogue: a publicly funded geoscience institution combining research, mapping, and capacity-building with deep groundwater and aquifer expertise.

Broad incumbents

• CSIRO (Australia): Australia's national science agency with active water and groundwater research programmes. Comparable as a publicly funded applied-research institution with international development water-security partnerships.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): U.S. federal geoscience agency with major groundwater resources programme. Broader mandate than RCGW, but a comparable public-sector model combining groundwater mapping, research, and capacity building.
• BGR — Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe: German federal geological survey providing groundwater and resource geoscience services internationally. Comparable as a publicly funded geoscience institution with active groundwater assessment programmes, including partnerships in Africa.
• BRGM — French Geological Survey: France's national geological survey covering groundwater, mineral resources, and environmental geology. Broader in scope than RCGW but directly comparable on hydrogeological mapping, aquifer assessment, and applied groundwater research.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/groundwaterke
• Facebookfacebook.com/groundwaterkenya
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/regional-centre-on-groundwater-resources-education-training-and-research-rcgw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education Training and Research (RCGW)