NAIROBI, Kenya — Sandi AI, the Uganda-based artificial intelligence platform focused on clean water and sanitation access, announced a major expansion into Kenya on Friday, along with the rollout of a new Group Rotational Savings feature and USSD access for users without smartphones.
The new features are designed to make water and sanitation solutions inclusive and community-driven, targeting grassroots groups that often face obstacles in financing and digital connectivity.
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“Our goal is to make access to clean water and sanitation simple, inclusive, and community-driven,” said Nabakka Sandra, chief executive officer of Sandi AI, during the launch in Nairobi. “With Group Rotational Savings and USSD access, communities can save together, support one another, and receive high-quality water solutions directly from trusted manufacturers.”
The Group Rotational Savings feature, called “Save Now, Take Later,” allows community members to save collectively for shared goals, such as installing water harvesting systems or sanitation facilities. The system automatically rotates the benefits among members once a goal is reached.
Sandra explained that a group of eight, for example, can contribute monthly toward a water facility. Each month, one member receives the installation until all eight have benefited.
Sandi AI does not sell water technologies directly. Instead, it connects saving groups to verified partner manufacturers, aiming to ensure access to quality and affordable products. The platform uses AI-driven monitoring to track contributions, verify transactions and offer tailored guidance.
To address the digital divide, Sandi AI has introduced USSD support, allowing users without internet access or smartphones to join and manage savings groups using basic mobile phones. The company expects the move to increase participation significantly in rural and low-income areas across East Africa.
“Digital exclusion has been a major barrier,” Sandra said. “Now, even users with simple handsets can participate, contribute, and track their savings. Nobody should be left behind just because they don’t own a smartphone.”
The expansion into Kenya is a major step for Sandi AI, which began in Uganda to tackle the persistent water access crisis through financial innovation. The new Nairobi office will serve as a regional coordination hub, strengthening partnerships with local nongovernmental organizations, manufacturers and community-based organizations.
“Kenya is a key player in East Africa’s innovation ecosystem,” Sandra noted. “Our presence here helps us work closely with community partners and accelerate our impact across borders.”
The Uganda headquarters will continue to lead regional operations, while the Nairobi team drives local engagement. Sandi AI’s model combines community savings, AI analytics and ethical technology partnerships to create a scalable financing model for clean water access. The company’s “water credit” concept, built on collective savings and digital accountability, aims to transform how African communities finance essential infrastructure.
