An incredible week of collaboration, innovation, and impact! The FINISH Mondial team, led by Mr. Valentin Post – Director Growth and Innovations, and Ms. Pamela Bundi, Country Coordinator Kenya, was honored to be part of the Netherlands Trade Mission to Kenya (March 17-20). The mission coincided with the state visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, underscoring the deepening ties between the two nations in critical sectors such as water, agriculture, and finance.
Key Highlights from the Trade Mission
The Netherlands Trade Mission served as a high-impact platform for strategic dialogues and partnerships aimed at accelerating sustainable development and economic growth. The FINISH Mondial delegation engaged in pivotal discussions and activities, fostering collaborations between Dutch and Kenyan stakeholders to unlock opportunities in water and sanitation, agriculture, finance, and investment.
- Advancing Financial Inclusion in WASH
FINISH Mondial engaged with financiers, investors, and government leaders to explore and scale financial solutions that bridge the funding gap in water and sanitation. Strengthening partnerships with both local and international financial institutions was a key focus, ensuring that more households and MSMEs gain access to inclusive financing models that drive WASH investments. - Matchmaking Sessions for Cross-Sector Collaboration
Targeted matchmaking sessions facilitated meaningful connections between Dutch and Kenyan businesses, fostering innovation in sanitation, water, and food security. Discussions also extended to renewable energy solutions, flood mitigation strategies, and climate-resilient infrastructure, reinforcing the link between WASH, agriculture, and climate adaptation. - Strategic Engagements with Water Sector Leaders
FINISH Mondial held high-level discussions with key Dutch and Kenyan water sector stakeholders, including: - Meike van Ginneken, Dutch Water Envoy
- Don Offermans, Water Advisor to Embassies of Nairobi and Kigali
- Rick Elmendorp, Netherlands Water Partnership
- Local and Dutch financial partners
These engagements explored innovative financing models and climate-resilient water solutions, aligning with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the National Water and Sanitation Investment Plan (NAWASIP).
Field Visits Showcasing Best Practices in Agriculture & Water Management
A visit to leading flower and vegetable companies in Naivasha—including Bilashaka Flowers , VP Group and Florensis highlighted the vital interconnection between agriculture and integrated water management. Additionally, a visit to the Nakuru Water and Sewer Utility (NAWASCO) showcased advancements in feacal sludge management and the pilot implementation of the sponge city Concept, an innovative approach to urban water resilience.
Showcasing FINISH Mondial’s Innovations at the Business Forum
During the Kenya-Netherlands Business Forum, organised as part of the Dutch Trade Mission to Kenya, FINISH Mondial showcased transformative solutions that are redefining sanitation financing. The forum, held during the State Visit of Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the Netherlands, provided a platform for key stakeholders to explore partnerships and investment opportunities between the two nations.
At the Forum, FINISH Mondial proudly presented groundbreaking innovations that are driving impact in Kenya’s sanitation sector:
🚰 Revolutionising Sanitation Technologies – Demonstrating innovative solutions that enhance access to safe sanitation while promoting circular economy principles.
♻ Feacal Sludge to Organic Manure – Showcasing the potential of faecal sludge reuse as a locally produced organic fertilizer for agriculture, supporting sustainable food production.
💰 Financial Innovations in WASH – Highlighting blended financing models that empower households and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), drive market-based sanitation solutions, and attract impact investments into the WASH sector. FINISH Mondial’s proven model in scaling sanitation investments drew significant interest from potential partners.
The enthusiasm and energy from this Trade Mission reaffirm our shared commitment to driving impactful change. As we continue these critical discussions, we welcome partnerships with organisations and individuals who are eager to collaborate on building resilient water, sanitation, and agricultural systems in Kenya.
If we missed you during the Trade Mission, we’d love to connect! Follow us on social media or drop us a message to explore synergies for impact: finishmondial@waste.nl