Hippo Roller
MLC Voyager | Created by Hippo Roller Foundation
The Hippo Roller is a purpose‑built, barrel‑shaped water container (90 L) with a clip‑on steel handle designed to be rolled, not carried, across rough terrain that tackles critical water-access issues in underserved rural communities. Its revolutionary concept was simply: “put the water inside the wheel” to dramatically reduce the effort of transporting large volumes.
+700,000 Lives Impacted
The Hippo Roller is a simple yet transformative innovation that significantly improves the lives of people in rural and water-scarce communities by making water collection safer, faster, and more efficient.
Designed to carry 90 liters of water with minimal effort, the roller replaces the traditional method of carrying heavy containers on the head, reducing physical strain, especially for women and children who bear the brunt of this task.
Its direct impact includes saving up to three hours per day in water collection time, increasing household water access, and reducing the risk of injury. This time-saving allows children to attend school more regularly and adults to focus on income-generating activities, farming, or caring for their families. Health outcomes improve as families can collect more water for hygiene and sanitation.
Since its inception, over 65,000 Hippo Rollers have been distributed in more than 57 countries, benefiting approximately 700,000 people. Key milestones include partnerships with major NGOs, support from corporate social investment programs, and adoption in emergency response settings. The Hippo Roller has proven to be more than just a tool, it is a vehicle for dignity, empowerment, and sustainable development.
The Innovation
Implemented primarily across sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia and the Pacific. It is distributed through NGOs, community-based projects, disaster relief efforts, and corporate social investment partnerships. Beneficiaries include women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities in water-scarce regions. What makes the Hippo Roller unique is its simplicity, durability, and cultural appropriateness. It empowers individuals and households by increasing water access, freeing time for education and economic activity, and improving health and hygiene outcomes. With proven impact and a strong reputation, current scaling plans focus on expanding local manufacturing to reduce costs, deepening partnerships with NGOs and CSR programs, and integrating the Hippo Roller into climate resilience and food security initiatives globally.
Implemented in
Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific
Get in touch
Grant Gibbs, Executive Director
About Hippo Roller Foundation
Hippo Roller Foundation NPC is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to water in rural and underserved communities through the innovative Hippo Roller. Our mission is to empower people by reducing the physical burden of water collection, enabling better health, education, and economic opportunities. We envision a world where everyone has the dignity of safe, reliable access to water.
