Reports show that globally over 2 billion people lack access to clean water and 3.6 billion to safe sanitation services. Known as the Finance Gap, it is estimated that $114 billion annually is needed to meet UN SDGs around water and sanitation. In Kenya, $12.9 billion in WASH investments are needed to expand and improve WASH services. However, mobilizing this capital has proven extremely difficult. Currently, the current government budget for water and sanitation is $5.6 billion, leaving a $7 billion gap (USAID, 2022).

This conference illuminates the difficulties for WASH financiers that hinder them from deploying capital in Kenya and WASH SMEs, Companies and Service Providers in accessing that capital. The sessions will focus on creating greater understanding and alignment between investors and entrepreneurs to leverage more financial resources into Kenyan WASH initiatives.