Co-operative Bank of Kenya hit a unique milestone after winning the Leadership in Water Infrastructure and Finance Award at the Africa WaterCredits Forum 2026 following the disbursement of KSh4.39 billion in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) financing over three years.
The bank received the award at the forum held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi on Friday, October 16, in recognition for its contribution to financing water infrastructure and service providers.
The award, according to the bank, specifically recognised its Co-op A Maji product, a specialised banking solution designed to provide financing for water supply, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure.
The product finances equipment and infrastructure, including water tanks, solar pumps, water connections, exhausters, bowsers and smart meters.
Images of the Leadership in Water Infrastructure and Finance Award.
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Co-op Bank
It targets individuals, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and institutions seeking to invest in water and sanitation services.
Through the product, Co-op has supported water service companies and other customers working to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation in urban, peri-urban and rural communities.
The award also builds on a partnership between Co-op Bank and Water.org launched in 2023 under a three-year agreement targeting more than KSh3 billion in WASH financing.
The partnership also aimed to improve access to water and sanitation services for more than 110,000 people.
However, the bank reported that it had disbursed KSh4.39 billion in WASH financing between March 2023 and August 2026, exceeding the initial KSh3 billion target.
Co-op Bank Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Gideon Muriuki spoke on the award, reiterating that reliable water and sanitation remained among Kenya's key development priorities.
“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.
According to Muriuki, Co-op A Maji product reflected the bank's focus on sectors that promote inclusive growth and improve livelihoods at the community level.
The Africa WaterCredits Forum brings together financial institutions, water utilities, development partners and other stakeholders to encourage commercial investment in water and sanitation infrastructure across Africa.
Co-op Bank Group Managing Director & CEO Dr Gideon Muriuki fields questions from shareholders at the bank's virtual 14th Annual General Meeting 2022.
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Co-op Bank