New partnership to improve sanitation services for half a million Malagasy
USAID and SATO, part of LIXIL, Partner to scale affordable and aspirational sanitation products in Madagascar
ANTANANARIVO, Nov. 16, 2023 – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and SATO, part of LIXIL, are joining forces in Madagascar to accelerate reliable access to SATO’s toilets for 500,000 people over the next three years.
Madagascar has long faced challenges related to sanitation and access to clean, hygienic facilities. As of 2022, nearly nine out of ten Malagasy in Madagascar lack access to basic sanitation services, placing it among some of the lowest sanitation rates in the world. Under the Partnership for Better Living (PBL), USAID and LIXIL are marking World Toilet Day 2023 by announcing new efforts to develop a sustainable market for SATO’s affordable and aspirational sanitation products in Madagascar.
The Partnership for Better Living combines the scale and reach of USAID with the design and innovation expertise of the SATO brand. Madagascar marks the first country where PBL resources will accelerate SATO’s growth in a USAID Global Water Strategy High Priority Country - a key objective of PBL’s public-private collaboration. SATO solutions have shown to have high potential in Madagascar through previous market testing with UNICEF and other USAID projects.
To accelerate the market and scale in Madagascar, SATO is developing the supply chain beginning with increasing the availability of the products; hiring SATO Country Leader, Nicole Andriamampianina, to drive growth; undertaking a pilot marketing campaign with a local agency to better understand the market and consumers’ needs; and initiating Toilet Sales Agent trainings through local partners.
Local business conglomerate, INVISO Group will serve as the import and distribution partner to ensure a locally available supply of SATO products. While prior development projects used SATO products, this effort will increase and formalize existing USAID collaboration to guide them in procuring and deploying SATO toilets in the urban and rural communities where they work. SATO products, including the SATO Pan and SATO Stool offer affordable, and easy-to-install solutions that enable individuals, communities, and low-income households to enjoy better sanitation and improved quality of life.
“A water-secure world means that everyone can access essential sanitation services and products. Flourishing local sanitation markets play a crucial role in advancing progress and reducing inequalities. We’re hopeful that our partnership with SATO will link households and communities to dependable and affordable sanitation solutions, enabling them to lead prosperous, healthy, and resilient lives,” said USAID Global Water Coordinator and Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator Nancy Eslick.
“At LIXIL, we treat every day like World Toilet Day, as evidenced by our now decade-long commitment to developing affordable and desirable sanitation solutions under the SATO brand. We are especially proud to partner with USAID to accelerate sanitation access in Madagascar by investing in a reliable and robust supply chain. We are confident we can make a meaningful impact and significantly contribute to improved sanitation in communities across the country,” said Erin McCusker, Senior Vice President, LIXIL, and Leader, SATO.
USAID is committed to building a world where all people have access to sustainable sanitation services and affordable hygiene products to support healthy behaviors. Since 2008, USAID has reached over 50 million people with sustainable sanitation services. USAID’s partnership with SATO in Madagascar will contribute towards USAID’s 2022-2027 Global Water Strategy target to reach 22 million people with access to safe and sustainable sanitation by 2027, half of whom have never before had access to a basic level of service.
To learn more about SATO, please visit: https://sato.lixil.com.
To learn more about the Partnership for Better Living, please visit:
https://www.globalwaters.org/pages/global-programs-and-partnerships.
Contact: Jody Carman, Partnership for Better Living, SATO | jody.carman@lixil.com
About LIXIL
LIXIL makes pioneering water and housing products that solve everyday, real-life challenges, making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere. Drawing on our Japanese heritage, we create world-leading technology and innovate to make high quality products that transform homes. But the LIXIL difference is how we do this; through meaningful design, an entrepreneurial spirit, a dedication to improving accessibility for all, and responsible business growth. Our approach comes to life through industry leading brands, including INAX, GROHE, American Standard, and TOSTEM. Over 70,000 colleagues operating in more than 150 countries are proud to make products that touch the lives of more than a billion people every day. LIXIL Group Corporation (TSE Code: 5938) is the listed holding company for LIXIL’s portfolio of businesses.
SATO, part of LIXIL, was created with the purpose to tackle the global sanitation and hygiene challenge. An award-winning social business, SATO’s purpose is to empower people everywhere so they can enjoy a better life and a brighter future.
Consumer-centric, our innovative, aspirational yet affordable sanitation and hygiene solutions have been developed based on our customers’ needs and wants. Ranging from toilet pans and connection systems to tap for handwashing, our products are water-saving, durable, easy to install, and simple to use.
SATO has won several prestigious awards, including Fast Company’s “Brands that Matter;” the Red Dot Design Award and the Deputy-Chief’s Award from the Japan SDG Awards, for the SATO Toilet systems range; and the TIME Magazine Best Inventions of 2020, and ‘finalist’ at Fast Company World Changing Ideas Award 2021 for the SATO Tap.
In order to increase the reach of our solutions and improve sanitation globally, we have established long-lasting partnerships with local manufacturers, NGOs, and inter-governmental organizations such as UNICEF, USAID, and JICA.