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WaterEquity, the first asset manager exclusively focused on water and sanitation, today announced the final close of its third impact investment fund, the Global Access Fund. The Fund is oversubscribed, with total investor commitments of $153 million. The Fund will invest equity capital from institutional investors, foundations, impact investors, and donor-advised funds alongside $100 million of debt capital from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Investments will target sustainable returns with high credit quality and are organized around financial inclusion, gender-lens investing, and access to safe water or sanitation.

“It is deeply gratifying to see the enthusiasm and commitment of participants in our third fund,” said Paul O’Connell, President of WaterEquity. “It illustrates that our ability to deliver true impact, amplified by the support of DFC, is a compelling offering for impact investors.”

WaterEquity’s Global Access Fund will address the global water and sanitation crisis in emerging markets by providing capital to financial institutions for water and sanitation microloans. These microloans enable low-income consumers to install water and sanitation solutions, such as water connections and toilets, within their own homes. This directly addresses Sustainable Development Goal 6—to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. It also advances other development goals leading to improved health, economic security, gender equality, and climate resilience. Over its seven-year term, the Fund aims to reach 5 million people with improved access to water and sanitation across Asia, Latin America, and Africa. 100% of those targeted will be low-income families and 60% will be women.

Photo courtesy of zhang kaiyv.