Using Credit Ratings to Improve Water Utility Access to Market Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa
Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) is working to leverage domestic private sector expertise and resources to deliver services that benefit the poor. The aim is to help an estimated 1.5 million poor people gain sustained access to improved water supply and sanitation services and leverage over US$80 million in investments by donors, governments, and the domestic private sector through three main activity lines: building water and sanitation business models for the poor; public-private partnerships in non-traditional markets; and, banking the unbanked water and sanitation providers. Encouraging creditworthy utilities to finance a portion of their investment program using commercial debt will improve the allocation of public funds for investment. Taking steps to address performance issues that hinder access to credit could see significantly more investment in water by the private sector, resulting in improved access in urban areas.
Summary: | Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) is
working to leverage domestic private sector expertise and
resources to deliver services that benefit the poor. The aim
is to help an estimated 1.5 million poor people gain
sustained access to improved water supply and sanitation
services and leverage over US$80 million in investments by
donors, governments, and the domestic private sector through
three main activity lines: building water and sanitation
business models for the poor; public-private partnerships in
non-traditional markets; and, banking the unbanked water and
sanitation providers. Encouraging creditworthy utilities to
finance a portion of their investment program using
commercial debt will improve the allocation of public funds
for investment. Taking steps to address performance issues
that hinder access to credit could see significantly more
investment in water by the private sector, resulting in
improved access in urban areas. |
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