By JKNewsMedia Reporter
CLEAN WATER and safe sanitation continue to elude millions of Nigerians, shaping daily life in ways that affect health, livelihoods and overall wellbeing.
The scale of the challenge has kept water, sanitation and hygiene services under strain, with far reaching consequences for communities across the country.
Responding to this urgent need, Sterling Bank, in partnership with nonprofit organisation water.org and the Sterling One Foundation, has launched the Sterling WASH Business Loan, a financing solution designed to strengthen the systems delivering water, sanitation and hygiene services in Nigeria.
The initiative targets WASH businesses and service providers, offering support to help scale sustainable access to safe water and sanitation nationwide.
The launch took place on Monday, 24 November 2025, at The Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The event signalled what the partners described as a shared commitment to addressing access to safe water and basic sanitation, identified as one of Nigeria’s most pressing development challenges.
Speaking at the launch, Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director of Sterling Bank, said the initiative reflects the bank’s focus on inclusive development through collaboration and targeted investment.
He said, “Sustainable development depends on collaboration and targeted investment in the people and businesses delivering solutions on the ground.
“By providing accessible financing to entrepreneurs in such a critical social sector, we ensure that progress reaches communities that need it most.
“This product aligns with our HEART strategy and our commitment to improving quality of life through impact driven initiatives.”
The Sterling WASH Business Loan is structured to support WASH entrepreneurs, small business owners and community service providers.
The financing is designed to help beneficiaries expand and sustain their operations, with the aim of improving health, livelihoods and educational outcomes across communities.
Water.org described access to finance as a key factor in addressing water and sanitation challenges.
Gilbert Okpono, Nigeria Senior Partnership Account Manager at Water.org, said financial inclusion plays a critical role in tackling the global water and sanitation crisis.
He said, “Financial inclusion is critical to solving the global water and sanitation crisis.
“By expanding access to affordable financing, we enable households and WASH entrepreneurs to improve services, reach more communities, and transform lives.
“Our partnership with Sterling Bank and Sterling One Foundation reflects a shared belief that when communities have the means to secure safe water and sanitation, the benefits ripple across health, education, and economic opportunity.
“This launch is a major step toward scaling that impact sustainably.”
The initiative also aligns with the mission of the Sterling One Foundation, which focuses on driving social impact and sustainable development across Africa.
The foundation said access to safe water and sanitation remains one of the most powerful investments in community wellbeing.
Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, said the launch was aimed at delivering lasting change for communities.
She said, “Our Foundation’s mission is to catalyse initiatives that deliver real, lasting change. Access to safe water and sanitation is one of the most powerful investments in community well being.
“Through this launch, we are opening doors for entrepreneurs, families, and communities to build healthier futures.
“We are proud to partner with Water.org and Sterling Bank to deliver solutions that are inclusive, scalable, and sustainable.”
The launch event brought together development partners, WASH entrepreneurs, media representatives, policymakers and community organisations.
Participants discussed how coordinated financing, supportive policies and market driven solutions could help close Nigeria’s water, sanitation and hygiene access gap.
Organisers said the Sterling WASH Business Loan is intended to serve as a catalytic tool, strengthening businesses already working within the sector while encouraging sustainable models that can reach underserved communities.
The focus on entrepreneurs and service providers was presented as a way to ensure that solutions are rooted in local needs and capable of long-term impact.
Interested beneficiaries were encouraged at the event to seek further information about the initiative through the designated platform water.org as the partners continue to promote wider engagement within the WASH ecosystem.
