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FAST Microfinance Bank (FAST MfB), in partnership with Water.org and the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), has launched FastWash, a key financial product aimed at expanding access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene across Nigeria.
Speaking at the unveiling in Benin City, Edo State, the Acting Managing Director of FAST MfB, Mrs. Juliet Odigie, said the initiative reflects the bank’s belief that financial empowerment must go hand in hand with social impact.
“Access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene is not just a basic need but a fundamental right and a key to sustainable development,” Odigie said.
She explained that the FastWash product was “designed to provide affordable financing to households, small businesses, and communities seeking to invest in water and sanitation solutions.” According to her, the scheme removes financial barriers that prevent millions from enjoying clean water, proper toilets, and safe hygiene facilities.
“With FastWash,” she continued, “beneficiaries can now access low-interest loans for water and sanitation facilities, improve their health, productivity, and living conditions, and drive community development through better hygiene.”
Odigie described FastWash as a financial innovation with a human face. “We understand that financial products must serve real needs. That is why FastWash is not just another loan—it is an investment in dignity, health, and hope.”
She expressed appreciation to Water.org, describing the collaboration as a validation of FAST MfB’s values and a demonstration of how strategic partnerships can accelerate social progress. “Water.org’s global commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty through water access aligns perfectly with our vision at FAST MfB,” she noted.
The microfinance boss also commended the NAMB, the FAST MfB team, and other stakeholders whose efforts made the product launch possible. She urged all partners to sustain the momentum, saying the goal is to create long-term value not only for customers but for communities.
In his remarks, Mr. Gilbert Okpono, Senior Partnership Account Manager at Water.org, described FastWash as a product born out of “deep collaboration, rigorous research, and a shared vision to empower communities, reduce disease, and promote sustainable living.”
He said the partnership marks a major step forward in financial inclusion and social impact. “Access to clean water, safe sanitation, and proper hygiene is not a luxury — it’s a basic human right. Yet millions still face daily challenges in securing these essentials. That’s why today’s launch is more than a product unveiling; it’s a commitment to health, dignity, and progress.”
Also speaking, Mr. Eddy Orok, Executive Secretary of NAMB, praised FAST MfB for its innovation and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.
He assured that more microfinance banks will soon roll out similar impact-driven products nationwide. “We are proud of our collaboration with Water.org and FAST MfB,” Orok said. “This partnership sets a benchmark for how financial institutions can contribute meaningfully to national development goals.”
With FastWash, FAST MfB and its partners said they are positioning microfinance as a powerful tool for social change, proving that inclusive finance can go beyond profit to improve health, dignity and living standards for millions of Nigerians.
