Sustainable transfer of manual well drilling technology to the private sector: a Niger case study

This paper examines the benefits and shortcomings associated with the introduction of manual drilling in Niger over a 45year period. Using the experience in Niger, the paper highlights the necessary and desirable conditions under which manual drilling can become integrated into the mainstream in the water sector. As such, the paper enables practitioners who are interested in promoting manual drilling in their countries to avoid some of the pitfalls and benefit from the successes. The paper is based on the authors’ more than 30 year combined experience in promoting manual drilling in Niger.