Aqua for All and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs advance a new strategic phase of the Making Water Count programme

Aqua for All is proud to continue its cooperation with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS) as we enter a new strategic phase of the Making Water Count (MWC) programme. This next phase contributes to our shared ambition to enable 5.8 million people to gain sustainable access to safe and clean water and sanitation.

With a targeted 1:5 leverage effect, the programme is designed to mobilise additional private capital into the water and sanitation sector. This approach strengthens the pipeline of investment-ready enterprises across the Horn of Africa, West Africa, the MENA region, and Asia, enabling them to scale and deliver long-term, sustainable impact.

Catalysing impact through a successful approach

Building on the strong foundation and insights from the first phase of Making Water Count, we are now entering a new stage focused on scale and system-level transformation. At the heart of this ambition is Aqua for All's bespoke dual approach, which strategically integrates market development with impact finance. This model leverages our proven instruments, including de-risking, smart grants, and technical assistance. Together, these instruments enable catalytic impact and accelerate the sector’s transition towards long-term sustainability.

Our combined market development and impact finance approach drives system change by:

• Catalysing investment into water and sanitation;
• Incentivising local financial institutions to establish water and sanitation portfolios;
• Unlocking new funding streams through de-risking, smart grants and results-based financing;
• Transforming the water and sanitation sector into a sustainable and inclusive economy.

Aqua for All remains committed to gender-intentional and climate resilient access to affordable water and sanitation. Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our partners, we are committed to transforming the water and sanitation sector and contribute to SDG 6 - access to water and sanitation for all.