LAPO MFB seeks stronger partnerships to tackle sanitation challenges

LAPO Microfinance Bank (LAPO MFB), has called for stronger stakeholder collaboration and innovative financing solutions to tackle sanitation challenges and improve livelihoods in Ebonyi State.

The call was made during a stakeholder presentation of market research findings under its Curbing Open Defecation Prevalence through Economic Empowerment (Project COPE) initiative in Abakaliki.

The engagement brought together representatives of government, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) agencies, financial institutions, communities and the media to examine the findings and identify practical approaches to improving sanitation in the state.

The initiative is supported by the Financial Inclusion Fund, managed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The Ebonyi engagement follows an earlier stakeholder meeting in Plateau State, as LAPO MFB continues to mobilise stakeholders to address sanitation challenges, validate community-level findings and explore sustainable financing models.

Presentations at the meeting covered the progress of Project COPE, market research findings, developments under the Community-Led Total Sanitation Plus (CLTS++) initiative and LAPO MFB’s financial products that could support sanitation needs and related economic activities.

Discussions also centred on expanding access to sanitation financing, developing appropriate financial solutions for households and communities, and strengthening collaboration among public, private and development-sector stakeholders.

Speaking at the engagement, the Head of Strategy and Partnerships at LAPO MFB, Evbuomwan Efosa, said the research and stakeholder consultations would help ensure that interventions under Project COPE reflect the realities and needs of beneficiary communities.

“Sustainable sanitation requires more than awareness. It requires solutions that respond to the economic realities of households and communities. This is why the market research and stakeholder engagement are important. They provide an opportunity to listen, validate the evidence and identify practical financing and partnership models that can support lasting sanitation improvements,” he said.

Also speaking, the Head of Corporate Services at LAPO MFB, Abel Ovenseri, said the engagement would help build stronger partnerships and connect communities with financial solutions that could improve sanitation and strengthen livelihoods.