EDITOR’S CHOICE
Incofin invests in SPOUTS International
to expand clean water access in Africa Supporting local innovation to address water scarcity and reduce carbon emissions
Incofin, a global impact investor known
for supporting innovative solutions in emerging markets, has committed EUR 3 million to SPOUTS International (SPOUTS), a pioneering East African social enterprise. This investment, from Incofin’s Water Access Acceleration Fund (W2AF), aims to help SPOUTS expand its clean water initiatives across East Africa and its carbon credit program.
Founded in 2014, SPOUTS manufactures and distributes ceramic water filters under the brand Purifaaya. Designed to provide an affordable, safe drinking water solution, these filters eliminate the need to boil water—a common practice in Africa that depends heavily on firewood and charcoal. By reducing reliance on these traditional fuels, Purifaaya’s locally-made filters help conserve natural resources, decrease household costs, and significantly lower carbon emissions.
Today, SPOUTS reaches more than 740,000 people accessing around 1.3 million litres of safe drinking water per
day, and it has averted 1 million tons of carbon emissions. The investment from Incofin will enable SPOUTS to grow its reach and advance its unique carbon credit initiative. Since 2019, SPOUTS has achieved Gold Standard certification, quantifying emissions reductions from the Purifaaya filters. These verified carbon credits are sold to organizations aiming to offset their carbon footprint, creating an additional revenue stream that allows SPOUTS to expand safe drinking water access, while supporting global climate objectives.
“Incofin is thrilled to partner with SPOUTS, a team that has shown remarkable dedication to bringing safe drinking water to the underserved. Through this collaboration, we aim to expand our reach across the region, providing vital access to safe drinking water. We envision communities becoming healthier and more economically resilient—where children can focus on learning, mothers on livelihoods, and families on building a brighter future. One little step towards a
future where access to clean water is a right, not a privilege,” says Wanjiru Waithaka, Regional Director Equity Africa.
“Spouts’ innovative approach to carbon credits, which also engages and benefits local communities including women, is very much aligned with W2AF’s impact ambitions on climate and gender. It shows that water access (SDG 6) is at the nexus of SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 13 (climate action),” says Aparna Pittie, Deputy Fund Manager, W2AF.
SPOUTS International CEO, Daniel Yin, expressed excitement about the partnership: “Incofin’s investment is a pivotal moment for SPOUTS. It will allow us to double our reach in the next 5 years. We look forward to our collaboration as we enter this new phase of growth and impact.”
About Incofin & its W2AF fund
Incofin is a global impact investment firm focused on financial inclusion, agribusiness, and water access solutions across emerging markets. By investing in impact-driven businesses, Incofin helps to create meaningful and sustainable benefits for underserved communities.
In 2023, Incofin ventured into the drinking water sector, and it is now actively deploying the Water Access Acceleration Fund (W2AF). This is a blended impact fund dedicated to improving access to clean water for underserved communities in Africa and Asia. It supports businesses that provide sustainable and scalable water access solutions.
Through W2AF, Incofin supports drinking water access for lower income populations, reinforcing community resilience and environmental sustainability.
44 | December 2024 |
draintraderltd.com
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