FAST Microfinance Bank, a leading micro credit and innovative services provider, in collaboration with Water.org and the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), has launched FastWash, a transformative financial product designed to give millions of Nigerians access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Speaking during the unveiling of the financial product in Benin, Edo State, the acting managing director of FAST MfB, Juliet Odigie, said the launch was based on the MfB Board and Management’s firm belief that financial empowerment must go hand in hand with social impact.
According to her, access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene is not just a basic need but a fundamental right and a key to sustainable development.
Specifically, she explained that the FastWash product was “designed to provide affordable financing to households, small businesses (SMEs) and communities seeking to invest in water and sanitation solutions, adding that through this initiative, FAST MfB is removing the financial barriers that limit access to clean water, proper toilets, and safe hygiene practices.
The banker further clarified: “With FastWash, 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.“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 added.
Odigie expressed micro lender management’s appreciation to Water.org, an organisation globally recognised for its commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty through water access, adding that the partnership not only validates FAST MfB’s values but also demonstrates the power of collaboration in delivering positive change in Benin City.
She also commended the NAMB, the FAST MfB’s team, and other stakeholders who made the launching of the FastWash product a reality and urged all the partners to continue to create value, not only for the MfB’s customers but for the communities they serve.
In his remarks at the event, Water.org senior partnership account manager, Gilbert Okpono, said the FastWash product was the result of deep collaboration, rigorous research, and a shared vision: to empower communities, reduce disease, and promote sustainable living, represented an innovative loan product for the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene sector in Edo State and Nigeria at large, to not just only meet a need, but to transform lives.
He said: “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.”
The executive secretary of NAMB, Eddy Orok, also commended FAST MfB for this innovation and the desire to implement one of the SDG goals 6. He assured the public that there will be more rollouts of similar products by other MfBs in the country soon. We are proud of our collaboration with Water.org and FAST MfB.
