WASH financing - the missing link: initial lessons from Sinapi Aba's pilot in Ghana

Sinapi Aba Trust WASH programme seeks to enhance livelihood of the poor through the provision of WASH loans to fill the gap of non-existence or limited access to WASH financing to the poor. A market study conducted in 2016 revealed the existence of demand for improved WASH facilities among the poor. But they are faced with the challenge of raising the required upfront payment for WASH investments. It was also found that the poor are already paying 10 to 20 times what the rich pay; therefore they could pay off a loan over time. Hence, Sinapi Aba with technical and financial support from Water.org and Opportunity International-UK developed loan products to provide WASH financial services to the poor. From August 2016 to February 2017 we have disbursed 76 WASH loans at USD197,666. One important lesson learnt is education for behavioural change and affordable loan capital is key to success.