By Co-operative Bank of Kenya has won the Leadership in Water Infrastructure and Finance Award at the Africa WaterCredits Forum 2026 in Nairobi, recognising its lending to water supply, sanitation and hygiene projects.
The award, presented at the forum on October 16, recognises the bank’s Co-op A Maji product, which provides financing for water service providers, individuals, businesses and institutions investing in water infrastructure.
The bank said it disbursed KSh 4.39 billion in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) financing between March 2023 and August 2026, exceeding the KSh 3 billion target established under a three-year partnership with Water.org.
The financing supports investments in water supply and sanitation equipment, including storage tanks, solar-powered pumps, water connections, exhausters, bowsers and smart meters. The bank said the facilities are intended to support projects serving communities in urban, peri-urban and rural areas.
Co-op A Maji targets water infrastructure investment
The Co-op A Maji product is designed to address financing needs among water service providers and other customers seeking to develop or expand water supply and sanitation infrastructure.
Such investments can include equipment used to store and distribute water, connect households to supply networks and improve sanitation services. The product also serves micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and institutions, according to the bank.
By extending financing to businesses and service providers in the water sector, the lender aims to support investment in infrastructure that can improve access to water and sanitation.
The bank’s recognition comes as financial institutions and development partners explore ways to mobilise commercial funding for water-related projects.
These investments can require substantial upfront capital for equipment, connections and other infrastructure before service providers can recover their costs through customer payments.
Co-op Bank’s award specifically recognises its contribution to financing water enterprises, infrastructure and service providers, according to the announcement.
Water.org partnership exceeds financing target
The bank launched its partnership with Water.org in 2023 under a three-year agreement that targeted more than KSh 3 billion in WASH financing and improved access to water and sanitation services for more than 110,000 people.
Between March 2023 and August 2026, the bank disbursed KSh 4.39 billion under the initiative, exceeding the original financing target by KSh 1.39 billion, according to the bank.
The amount disbursed was approximately 46% above the initial target. The figures indicate that the financing programme exceeded its planned lending volume, although the announcement did not provide a breakdown of loans by customer category, project type or location.
The original agreement’s target of reaching more than 110,000 people provides a measure of the programme’s intended social reach.
The KSh 4.39 billion figure covers the period from March 2023 to August 2026, while the award was presented in October 2026.
Bank says financing can support access to essential services
Co-op Bank Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Gideon Muriuki said financing was important to translating infrastructure plans into services for communities.
“Access to reliable water and sanitation remains one of Kenya’s most pressing development priorities, and innovative financing is essential to turn infrastructure ambitions into delivered services,” Muriuki said.
He said Co-op A Maji reflected the bank’s focus on sectors that support economic growth and improve livelihoods at community level.
Access to finance can help fund equipment purchases and infrastructure expansion for water service providers.
The extent to which such lending translates into improved services depends on the implementation of projects, the ability of providers to maintain infrastructure and the affordability of services to households.
Africa WaterCredits Forum focuses on commercial investment
The Africa WaterCredits Forum 2026 was held on October 16 at the Radisson Blu in Nairobi, bringing together financial institutions, water utilities, development partners and other sector stakeholders.
The forum focused on accelerating commercial investment in water and sanitation across Africa.
The discussions brought attention to the role of financial institutions in providing capital for projects that expand water supply and improve sanitation infrastructure.
Banks can finance equipment and business expansion, while development partners can help establish programmes designed to increase lending to customers who need funding for essential services.
The Co-op Bank award highlights one approach to financing the sector through a dedicated banking product and a partnership with a development organisation.
