Digging a well in Africa: what it really costs

When you look into funding a well, the first question is almost always the same: how much does it cost? The honest answer is that there is no single price, but prices that vary by country and by ground conditions. Here is what explains these gaps, and our real prices, with no inflated figures or guesswork.

Water-table depth

The deeper the water, the more time, equipment and energy the drilling requires. In some regions the water table is near the surface and the site progresses quickly. Elsewhere, you have to drill much deeper, which raises the cost. This is one of the main drivers of price differences.

Village access

Bringing equipment to the site is not always simple. A remote village, hard to reach, means more logistics and transport. Conversely, a site that is easier to reach reduces the costs. Geography weighs directly on the budget.

Local cost of materials and labor

The price of concrete, equipment and on-site work changes from one country to another. These local differences carry through to the final price of a well. The same structure therefore does not cost the same depending on where it is built.

• Village scouting and identifying the need
• The necessary permits
• Drilling
• The concrete slab and channels
• Installation of the hand pump
• Commissioning
• Photo and video documentation of the site at delivery

Uganda is the country where we build the most, with a well at 350 euros and a timeline of 3 to 5 weeks. In India, expect 365 euros, in Sri Lanka 370 euros and in Cambodia 400 euros, these three countries with a timeline of 4 to 6 months. For Niger, the price is 1050 euros, and for Togo 1100 euros, also in 4 to 6 months. These gaps reflect directly the ground conditions described above.

There is no need to cover the amount in one go. Contributions can be pooled as a collective fund, letting a family, a group of friends or a collective gather the sum together. Each person gives what they can, and the well is built once the total is reached.

If you want to know exactly what your contribution would fund, the simplest way is to choose a country and order the construction of a well. You will follow its progress, and you will receive photos and videos of the completed site.