In February, policymakers, researchers, development partners, and industry experts gathered together for the Toilet Conference 2025 . The event served as a global platform to address sanitation challenges and innovations under the theme “The Future of Sanitation”, as well as highlighting disparities in toilet access, the impact of inadequate sanitation on women and girls, and successful interventions such as Bangladesh’s achievement in eliminating open defecation from 34% in 1990 to 0% in 2017. Discussions emphasised the role of modern sanitation infrastructure and technological advancements in improving public health and economic productivity. The conference also provided governments from the Global South an opportunity to showcase best practices, mobilise investments, and advance global efforts towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

FINISH Mondial Bangladesh successfully hosted an impactful panel discussion at Toilet Conference 2025, highlighting the transformative role of results-based financing (RBF) in expanding safely managed sanitation. The session brought together key stakeholders from government agencies, microfinance institutions (MFIs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and sanitation enterprises, facilitating a rich exchange of ideas on how performance-based incentives can drive sustainable and inclusive sanitation solutions.

Key Insights from the Session

The session reinforced the transformative potential of Results-Based Financing (RBF) in building a market-driven sanitation ecosystem, where financial incentives are directly tied to measurable outcomes. Key insights included:

✅ Successful Case Studies & Practical Applications: Real-world examples from Bangladesh highlighted how RBF is strengthening sanitation access by empowering microfinance institutions (MFIs), local entrepreneurs, and communities to invest in sustainable sanitation solutions.
✅ Scalability, Sustainability & Systemic Impact: Experts emphasized that performance-based financial models ensure long-term impact by bridging the gap between high-level policy frameworks and on-the-ground implementation, driving systemic change and accountability.

✅ Bangladesh’s Approach to Toilet Financing: Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation(PKSF), the apex body of microfinance Bangladesh in, presented its approach to toilet financing. They highlighted how they are utilising the RBF model to improve sanitation by aligning financial incentives with measurable outcomes.
✅ Regional Insights from Nepal: Mayor Istiyaq Ahmed Khan from Siddharta Nagar Municipality, Nepal, shared how MFIs are supporting sanitation financing in Nepal. He discussed challenges, successes, and policy mechanisms that have enabled financial institutions to support sanitation entrepreneurs and expand access to sanitation services in vulnerable communities.

✅ Cross-Sector Collaboration & Working Partnerships: The session provided a dynamic platform for dialogue among policymakers, financial institutions, sanitation practitioners, and development partners. Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) and Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha (TMSS) shared their partnership experience with FINISH Mondial Bangladesh, showing how RBF has empowered MFIs to extend sanitation loans to underserved communities.

✅ Innovative & Blended Financing Approaches: Discussions explored the potential of digital financial tools, blended financing models, and capacity-building efforts to scale RBF initiatives and make sanitation financing more inclusive and effective.
✅ Expert Contributions & Interactive Engagement:

🔹 Keynote Address: Valentin Post, Co-Founder and Director of Growth & Innovation at FINISH Mondial, detailed the evolution of the RBF model and its integration with capacity-building.

🔹 Expert Panel Discussion: Sector leaders discussed how RBF strengthens efficiency, accountability, and access in sanitation financing.

🔹 Interactive Q&A – “Ask the Expert” Session: Participants engaged in meaningful conversations with panelists, raising critical questions and exploring practical solutions.

Resonating Impact & Future Prospects

The session received overwhelming enthusiasm, with attendees expressing strong interest in adapting RBF models to their respective countries. Many participants acknowledged the need for innovative financing mechanisms to ensure sanitation services reach the most vulnerable communities at scale.

Representatives from PKSF emphasised the crucial role of public policies and financing in expanding RBF, while TMSS and ESDO provided key insights on financial inclusion in sanitation, illustrating how partnerships between MFIs and development organisations can unlock new opportunities for safely managed sanitation. The session also explored the role of sanitation entrepreneurs, FinTech solutions, and impact investors in sustaining long-term progress.

Session Speakers & Moderators

  • Chair & Keynote Speaker: Valentin Post (Co-Founder & Director of Growth & Innovation, FINISH Mondial)
  • Panelists:
    • Md. Shahid Uz Zaman, PhD (Executive Director, ESDO)
    • Prof. Dr. Hosne-Ara Begum (Founder & Executive Director, TMSS)
    • Wahida Anjoom (Country Coordinator & Executive Director, FMBD)
    • Md. Rokanuzzaman (Asst. General Manager-Programme, PKSF)
    • Mr. Istiyaq Ahmed Khan (Mayor, Siddharta Nagar Municipality, Nepal)
  • Moderator: Md. Mojibur Rahaman (Resource Mobilization & Inclusive Finance Expert, FMBD)

Looking Ahead

The success of this session reaffirmed RBF as a powerful tool for driving systemic change in sanitation financing. Moving forward, FINISH Mondial Bangladesh will continue to advocate for performance-based financing mechanisms, fostering partnerships with policymakers, financial institutions, and local stakeholders to expand safely managed sanitation across Bangladesh and beyond.

With the valuable insights shared from both Bangladesh and Nepal, the session highlighted the importance of cross-country learning and collaboration in advancing sanitation financing. The discussions and commitments generated will shape future initiatives, ensuring that sanitation financing continues to evolve to meet the needs of vulnerable communities while fostering accountability, sustainability, and impact-driven solutions.

 

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