New partnership supports innovative financing solutions for WASH
Aqua for All, a Dutch not-for-profit organisation working towards facilitating access to clean water and good sanitation for all, and Oikocredit have agreed on a new partnership to invest in community water and sanitation. The collaboration will develop innovative and affordable financing solutions for water, sanitation and hygiene in Africa and Asia.
Aqua for All, specialised in innovative finance for water and sanitation, and social impact investor and worldwide cooperative Oikocredit, are launching a partnership to support water and sanitation financing and provision by partner organisations in Africa and Asia.
Josien Sluijs, Managing Director of Aqua for All, said: “Accelerating sustainable access to safe water and proper sanitation requires close collaboration between the WASH sector and the impact investing sector. In Oikocredit we have found a committed partner to boost sector transformation and improve the lives of people in low-income communities."
Supporting low-income people
Under their new two-year agreement, Aqua for All and Oikocredit will combine market expertise, knowledge and network support to develop the water, sanitation and hygiene (‘WASH’) portfolios of financial inclusion partners in east and west African countries and in Cambodia. Aqua for All will provide up to € 1,500,000 in technical assistance, de-risking and/or a performance-based incentives. Oikocredit will invest up to € 15,000,000 in portfolio financing with current and new partner organisations.
"Our two organisations’ approaches are truly complementary. We look forward to working together and with local partners in developing initiatives that improve access to safe water and sanitation for low-income people and their communities,” according to Mirjam ‘t Lam, Managing Director of Oikocredit.
Impact investment is on the rise
The impact investing community increasingly recognises the WASH sector’s importance for human wellbeing, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic. Billions of people in low-income countries still lack adequate access to safely managed water and/or sanitation services. Massive private investment is urgently needed to bridge funding and service gaps to reach Sustainable Development Goal 6 of universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.
"I hope that this partnership will inspire others to combine resources and expertise towards creating a sustainable and inclusive water and sanitation economy," said Josien Sluijs.
