On February 15, 2021, ForthInvestment launched a call for applications to SMEs operating in the fields of: water, sanitation, and integrated water resource management, as part of the “PERFORMING SMEs WASH sector” program. Applications closed on March 25.
The PERFORMING SMEs WASH sector program is developed by ForthInvestment and co-financed by Aqua for All. It is deployed in partnership with IRC WASH, Sinergi Burkina, La Maison de la PME (Société Générale Burkina Faso), l’institut 2IE and other actors in financing and supporting the private sector.
Its mission is to support and develop 10 SMEs over a period of ten (10) months in the sectors of:
Water:
- Drinking water companies (water disinfection);
- Domestic water treatment and storage (water filters);
- Water maintenance and operation services (standpipes)
Sanitation:
- Toilet economy (sludge management, ecological toilets).
- Circular economy (fecal sludge recycling, biodigesters).
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM):
Water recharge, retention, and reuse (rainwater harvesting, awareness and training)
- Geophysical consulting firms (drilling)
- Efficient water use (hydroponic cultivation in connection with wastewater reuse).
The selection phase lasted three (03) months. Out of 37 applicant SMEs, 20 SMEs were pre-selected and ten (10) SMEs were chosen by a committee, at the end of a process including a diagnostic phase, an interview, and a site visit.
The selected SMEs were invited to a meeting on May 3, 2021, at ForthInvestment’s premises. During the meeting, they were presented with the details of the program and the support modalities.
The “PERFORMING SMEs WASH” program is therefore underway, with 10 SMEs on board seeking growth, and alongside them, viability experts, SME development experts, technical experts in the various WASH sectors, and investors. All led by a competent ForthInvestment team serving one of the most innovative programs in the market.
Upon arrival, 10 SMEs will emerge with strengthened technical and organizational skills, with financial support for their short- and medium-term needs. A meeting is set in 10 months to discover the gems of the “PERFORMING SMEs WASH sector” program)
It should be noted that alongside this support, a market study is also underway with a view to developing, in collaboration with local financing actors, innovative financial mechanisms adapted to the sector.
