Sterling Bank, Water.org, Sterling One Foundation Empower WASH Entrepreneurs to Boost Clean Water Supply
L-R: Gilbert Okpono, Snr. Partnership Account Manager, Water.org; Engr. Mukhtaar Temitope Tijani, Managing Director, Lagos State Water Corporation; Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; Akporee Idenedo, Divisional Head Commercial Banking, Sterling Bank, at the Sterling Bank Water Credit Proposition held in Lagos recently.
For millions of Nigerians, access to clean water and safe sanitation is still a daily struggle, with far-reaching consequences for health, livelihoods, and overallnl well-being.
To address this urgent challenge and strengthen the systems delivering WASH solutions, Sterling Bank, in partnership with nonprofit Water.org and Sterling One Foundation,.has launched the Sterling WASH Business Loan, a catalytic financing solution that empowers WASH businesses and service providers to scale sustainable access to safe water and sanitation across Nigeria.
The launch, which took place on Monday, 24th November 2025, at The Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, signals a shared commitment to solving one of Nigeria’s most pressing development challenges—access to safe water and basic sanitation.
Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director, Sterling Bank, highlighted the initiative’s role in fostering inclusive development, saying, “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.”
Gilbert Okpono, Nigeria Senior Partnership Account Manager at Water.org, emphasised the transformative potential of financing WASH businesses, adding that, “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 safewater and sanitation, the benefits ripple across health, education, and economic opportunity. This launch is a major step toward scaling that impact sustainably.
The Sterling WASH Business Loan is designed to support WASH entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community service providers with flexible financing to expand and sustain their impact, enabling improved health, livelihoods, and educational outcomes across communities.
The initiative aligns closely with Sterling One Foundation’s mission to drive social impact and sustainable development across Africa. Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, affirmed that, “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, policymakers, and community organisations to explore how coordinated financing,bsupportive policies, and market-driven solutions can close Nigeria’s WASH access gap. Interested beneficiaries are encouraged to visit www… to learn more about the initiative.
