Co-operative Bank of Kenya has surpassed its water and sanitation financing target after disbursing Ksh 4.39 billion in loans over three years, highlighting the growing role of commercial lenders in supporting essential infrastructure.
The funding was released between March 2023 and August 2026 through a partnership with Water.org, exceeding the initial target of Ksh 3 billion. The three-year agreement also sought to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene services for more than 110,000 people.
The bank received the Leadership in Water Infrastructure and Finance Award at the Africa WaterCredits Forum 2026, held in Nairobi on October 16, in recognition of its lending to water businesses and infrastructure projects.
Loans target households and businesses
The financing is provided through Co-op A Maji, a specialised loan product available to individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises, institutions and water service providers.
The facility supports investments in water tanks, solar-powered pumps, household and office water connections, smart meters, water bowsers and exhausters used in sanitation services.
It also finances boreholes, water purification systems, wastewater treatment equipment and businesses involved in supplying water-related products and services.
According to the bank, the product is intended to help customers acquire essential equipment and expand their operations through financing with flexible repayment periods.
The loans can support households seeking more reliable water supplies, businesses investing in water infrastructure and service providers looking to extend their reach to additional customers.
Co-op Bank Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Gideon Muriuki said access to dependable water and sanitation services remained a major development priority.
“Access to reliable water and sanitation remains one of Kenya’s most pressing development priorities,” Muriuki said, adding that innovative financing was necessary to turn infrastructure plans into delivered services.
Partnership seeks to expand access
The collaboration with Water.org was launched in March 2023 to increase financing for water, sanitation and hygiene projects.
Water.org works with financial institutions to develop affordable financing options that enable households and businesses to invest in water and sanitation solutions.
The partnership reflects efforts to supplement public investment by making commercial loans available for projects that improve water access and sanitation services.
In November 2024, Co-operative Bank also entered a separate Sh500 million partnership involving Water.org, Aqua for All and the Water and Sanitation Providers Association to support medium-sized water infrastructure projects.
The programme aims to help water service providers improve efficiency, reduce water losses and extend connections to more households.
The Africa WaterCredits Forum brings together financial institutions, utilities and development partners to explore ways of increasing investment in water and sanitation across Africa.
Co-operative Bank’s latest financing figures show that it exceeded its original lending target, although an updated count of the people reached through the programme has not been disclosed.
Leave a comment