Its Co-op A Maji product funds water, sanitation and hygiene projects across the country
The Co-operative Bank of Kenya has been named winner of the Leadership in Water Infrastructure and Finance Award at the Africa WaterCredits Forum, in recognition of its lending for water, sanitation and hygiene (Wash) projects.
Over the last three years, the bank has released KSh4.39bn (US$33.83m, £25.3m) for Wash projects. That is 46% above the KSh3bn goal it set when it entered a partnership with Water.org in 2023. The funded projects have improved access to water and sanitation for more than 110,000 people in urban, peri-urban and rural communities.
The award was presented at the forum, held in Nairobi in October. Judges singled out Co-op A Maji, the bank’s product built to finance water supply, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure.
Lack of finance is a major obstacle to delivering vital water projects, as providers often find it hard to secure funding that fits their revenue cycles and investment needs. Co-op A Maji responds with tailored banking solutions that allow providers to plan upgrades instead of depending on their own limited resources.
The product supports investment in water tanks, solar pumps, water connections, exhausters, bowsers and smart meters for households, businesses and water service providers.
Bank CEO Gideon Muriuki said reliable water and sanitation remain among Kenya’s most urgent development priorities, adding that innovative financing is needed to turn infrastructure plans into real services.
“Co-op A Maji reflects the bank’s long-standing focus on sectors that drive inclusive growth and improve livelihoods at community level,” he said.
The Africa WaterCredits Forum gathers financial institutions, water utilities, development partners and other stakeholders to promote commercial investment in water and sanitation infrastructure across Africa.
