Ngatunga Community Unit using the Data Ghala app—a digital tool driving financial inclusion in Kenya

Access to safe sanitation remains a challenge, compounded by a $140 billion global financing gap. But amidst the barriers, financial inclusion is opening new doors—by offering innovative, inclusive pathways to financing WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services. On 7 May 2025, FINISH Mondial hosted a webinar exploring how financial inclusion models are creating ripple effects in economic empowerment, especially across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
The event brought together Country leads from Kenya, Uganda, and Bangladesh, alongside global perspectives from FINISH Mondial leadership, to share case studies, challenges, and scalable models that blend microfinance with public-private partnerships.

Highlights from the Discussions:
Kicking off the session, Valentin Post, Director of Growth and Innovation noted that there remains a significant $140 billion gap in global sanitation funding, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. However, he also emphasized the opportunity: the global microfinance market stands at a robust $240 billion and offers great potential for integration with WASH financing. He advocated for stronger partnerships with Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), stressing that impact lies not in altering market rates but in reducing the cost of sanitation solutions. Long-term engagement with MFIs, he added, is essential, especially when paired with efforts to control supply-side quality—such as construction standards. He also positioned faecal sludge management (FSM) not just as a public health intervention, but as a vehicle for economic empowerment and job creation.

Kenya: SACCOs as Strategic WASH Financing Allies
Pamela Bundi, Country Coordinator, FM Kenya, spotlighted the unique role of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs).Offering loans at a low 1% monthly interest rate, SACCOs are uniquely positioned to support WASH initiatives, as their model—secured by member savings and peer guarantees—keeps default rates low. Pamela explained how SACCOs are also embedded in the supply chain: many stock sanitation materials and pay artisans directly, allowing for efficient disbursement of loans and project implementation. This dual role enables members to benefit twice—through access to affordable loans and dividends from SACCO profits.

Bangladesh: Blended Finance & Public-Private Partnerships
Wahida Anjoom, Country Coordinator, FM Bangladesh, shifted the focus to blended finance and public-private partnerships. She explained how blended finance models use public capital to de-risk and attract private investment, making them particularly suited to the WASH sector. A prime example is Bangladesh’s Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), which brings together the Government, the World Bank, and MFIs. Wahida highlighted that globally, WASH requires $85.6 billion annually, with Bangladesh alone offering a $9.5 billion loan market potential. She stressed that WASH financing must go beyond infrastructure, encompassing maintenance, behavior change, and climate resilience.

Uganda: Empowering Women and Youth Through WASH Loans
Pamela Kabasinguzi, Country Coordinator, FM Uganda, showcased how WASH loans are gateways to broader financial inclusion for women and youth. FM Uganda leverages government programmes like GROW and EMYOOGA to improve access and uptake. Moreover, the team has developed a dedicated WASH curriculum to upskill artisans, which in turn builds lender trust and improves loan repayment. She also emphasized the programme’s impact on financial literacy and repeat loan access, which are both key to sustainable economic empowerment.

Collective Reflections by Bas Clerx, CEO – FINISH Mondial Foundation
Bas closed the session by underlining the importance of cross-country learning and the documentation of successful models for replication. He encouraged sustained dialogue and stronger partnerships to build financial ecosystems that serve the last mile. Importantly, he reinforced the idea that sanitation should not be seen solely as a public health necessity, but also as an economic opportunity.