FAST Microfinance Bank Launches FastWash Loan to Expand Access to Clean Water and Sanitation

FAST Microfinance Bank (FAST MfB), in partnership with Water.org and the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), has launched FastWash, an innovative financial product designed to provide Nigerians with affordable access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.

The unveiling, held in Benin City, Edo State, reflects FAST MfB’s belief that financial empowerment should go hand in hand with social impact, according to the bank’s Acting Managing Director, Juliet Odigie. Access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene is not just a basic need, it is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of sustainable development

The FastWash loan aims to remove financial barriers for households, small businesses (SMEs), and communities looking to invest in water and sanitation solutions. Beneficiaries can access low-interest loans to install water systems, improve sanitation facilities, and adopt safe hygiene practices, improving both health and living conditions.

FastWash is not just another loan product, it is an investment in dignity, health, and hope. It empowers people to improve their productivity and drive community development through better hygiene, Odigie added. She commended Water.org for its commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty through water access and highlighted the importance of collaboration in delivering sustainable impact to communities in Benin City. Odigie also praised NAMB, the FAST MfB team, and other stakeholders for supporting the initiative.

Speaking at the event, Gilbert Okpono, Senior Partnership Account Manager at Water.org, emphasized that FastWash is a product of research, collaboration, and shared vision. Access to clean water, safe sanitation, and proper hygiene is a basic human right, yet millions still face daily challenges in securing these essentials. Today’s launch is more than a product unveiling, it is a commitment to health, dignity, and progress.

Eddy Orok, Executive Secretary of NAMB, also commended FAST MfB for the initiative, noting that it aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation. He assured that more similar products will soon be rolled out by other microfinance banks across Nigeria. Through FastWash, FAST MfB and its partners aim to transform lives, improve public health, and promote sustainable community development by making water and sanitation solutions accessible and affordable for all.