Ekondo Bank has launched a new sanitation financing scheme that will allow households in Cross River State to access toilet loans of up to ₦100,000, while sanitation business owners can obtain up to ₦500,000 to expand their operations.
The loan initiative, known as EKWASH, was unveiled during the validation of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) strategic plan for Yala Local Government Area in Cross River State. The product was developed by Ekondo Bank in partnership with Toilet Pride Initiative as part of efforts to improve access to safe and durable toilets across underserved communities.
According to the bank, the programme is expected to reach about 5,000 households and 50 sanitation entrepreneurs across four local government areas in the state.
Speaking during the event, Branch Manager of Ekondo Bank, Gladys Ekpang, said the loan scheme was created to address the financial barriers preventing many families from building proper toilets despite increasing awareness around sanitation and hygiene.
The initiative comes as Cross River intensifies efforts to restore Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in communities that previously lost the certification due to poor infrastructure, lack of maintenance and inadequate funding.
Executive Director of Toilet Pride Initiative, Chukwuma Nnana, explained that many rural households embraced sanitation campaigns in the past but were unable to build long-lasting toilet facilities because of cost.
“CLTS created demand, but families were left without durable toilets. We’re closing that gap by offering affordable options that last,” he said.
He disclosed that under the arrangement, households can access loans of up to ₦100,000 specifically for toilet construction or upgrades, while sanitation-related businesses including toilet material suppliers and operators can receive loans of up to ₦500,000 to restock products and handle transportation and logistics.
“We want families to stop worrying about cost and start thinking about dignity,” Nnana added.
Stakeholders at the event said access to financing remains one of the biggest obstacles to achieving improved sanitation in many Nigerian communities, especially in rural areas where families often rely on unsafe or poorly constructed toilet systems.
The EKWASH scheme is expected to support low-income households that cannot afford upfront construction costs by allowing them to spread payments over time through structured financing.
The launch also aligns with broader WASH reforms being implemented in Cross River State through partnerships involving government agencies, development organisations and private sector institutions.
Yala Local Government Area, which serves as the pilot location for the intervention, was declared Open Defecation Free in 2018 before slipping back due to infrastructure failures and funding gaps.
Officials involved in the new WASH strategy say the focus is now shifting toward long-term sustainability, with stronger financing models and durable sanitation infrastructure capable of serving communities for decades.
Nigeria Startup News reports that the broader intervention is supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in partnership with the Cross River State Ministry of Water Resources and Self-Help Africa.
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