Omar Ibrahim Taha

Sudanese inventor creating low-tech water solutions for Sahel region

Omar Ibrahim Taha (b.1978) revolutionized desert agriculture through his "Sand Well" system, a low-cost water extraction method using buried palm fiber mats to collect nocturnal condensation. His 2005 breakthrough came when observing desert beetles in North Darfur, leading to biomimetic designs storing 40 liters nightly from dry air.

The Fog Harvester 2.0 network now sustains 300,000 people across Chad and Niger. Taha deliberately avoids patenting, stating "Water belongs to the thirsty" in his 2018 TEDGlobal talk. His open-source designs sparked grassroots manufacturing cooperatives producing 15,000 units annually.

Currently leading the Green Belt Collective, Taha combines ancient Qanat irrigation techniques with satellite-guided terracing. The 2021 Nobel Committee listed him as peace prize contender for preventing water conflict in Lake Chad Basin.