Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund Trust

What Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund Trust does

Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund Trust (UTNWF) is a Kenya-based independent non-profit trust that operates the African continent's first water fund, founded in 2015 and spun off from The Nature Conservancy in September 2021. The trust implements a financing and stewardship model that links downstream water users — primarily Nairobi's 4 million residents whose 95% Tana River water supply is at risk from sedimentation and watershed degradation — with upstream smallholder farmers in five counties (Nyeri, Laikipia, Murang'a, Nyandarua, Kiambu), of whom more than 45,000 have been engaged in terracing, tree planting, water harvesting pond installation, and riparian buffer protection.

The trust's core technology is the water fund mechanism itself, operationalized through nature-based solutions and a monitoring infrastructure that includes water quality gauging stations, Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers, and macro-invertebrate sampling for catchment health assessment, supplemented by ten-plus years of baseline survey research and published reports. Its product surface consists of watershed conservation services, farmer training and extension, water harvesting solutions, riparian protection, and terracing/soil conservation — delivered through field teams and county-level partnerships.

UTNWF monetizes through four revenue streams: individual and corporate donations (with unit-level pricing such as KES 7,000 per water pan or KES 23,121 per 1,000 meters of terraces), an endowment fund, recurring contributions from downstream water beneficiaries (municipal utilities, agribusinesses), and grants from multilateral development agencies including GEF, IFAD, and UNDP. Its GTM is community-led, combining on-the-ground farmer engagement with institutional partnerships across county governments, regulators (WRA, WARMA, NEMA), and 30+ corporate partners (EABL, Coca-Cola, Equity Bank, KCB, Co-operative Bank).

Name

Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund Trust

Legal name

Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund Trust

Website

https://nairobiwaterfund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund Trust is a Kenya-based non-profit operating Africa's first water fund, connecting 45,000+ upstream smallholder farmers with downstream water beneficiaries in Nairobi through nature-based watershed conservation funded by donations, grants, and corporate contributions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Watershed Conservation Services

NAICS

Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)

SIC

Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodiversity, Conservation & Natural Capital Funds (FSANAJAG), Climate Finance Funds & Green Investment Facilities (BPADACAH), Environmental & Resource Efficiency Funds (Water, Waste, Recycling, Efficiency) (FSANAEAE), Capital Delivery, Asset Management & Renewal Programs (Pipes, Plants, Pumps) (EUANAAAK)

Keywords

• Watershed conservation services
• Water fund management
• Watershed restoration solutions
• Nature-based water solutions
• Water security financing

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and institutional donations fund conservation work including tree planting, terracing installation, water harvesting infrastructure, and riparian protection. The website operates a public-facing donation portal.
2. Endowment Fund: The trust has established an endowment fund supported by donors and water beneficiaries to provide long-term, sustainable financing for watershed conservation activities.
3. Water Beneficiary Contributions: Downstream municipal utilities, businesses, and other water users in Nairobi invest in the water fund as a cost-effective alternative to grey infrastructure upgrades, contributing financially to upstream conservation.
4. Public and Development Funding: International public funding agencies, foundations, and development finance institutions (e.g., GEF, IFAD, UNDP) provide grants to support watershed restoration and conservation programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund Trust operates as Africa's first water fund, deploying a financing mechanism that connects downstream water users (Nairobi city, municipal utilities, corporate beneficiaries) with upstream watershed stewards (smallholder farmers). The trust delivers nature-based conservation services including terracing, tree planting, water harvesting pond installation, and riparian buffer protection to safeguard the Tana River, which supplies 95% of Nairobi's water.

Product overview

Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund Trust operates as a single integrated water conservation service rather than a software platform. The core offering is the Water Fund Model—a financing mechanism that connects downstream water users with upstream watershed stewards. This is supported by interconnected modules including watershed conservation services (tree planting, riparian buffers), farmer support programs (agricultural training, sustainable practices), water harvesting solutions (water pans), riparian land protection, and terracing/soil conservation measures. The organization functions as a non-profit water fund addressing water security through nature-based solutions rather than a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Water Fund Model A financial mechanism connecting downstream water users (Nairobi city, municipal utilities, businesses) with upstream watershed stewards (smallholder farmers) to enable investment in nature-based water conservation solutions that improve water quality and supply.
• Watershed Conservation Services Nature-based solutions including tree planting, riparian buffer zone creation, terracing and grass strip installation, and water harvesting pond construction to protect and restore the Upper Tana watershed. Each intervention can be funded at defined unit costs (e.g., KES 7,000 per water harvesting pond, KES 23,121 per 1,000 meters of terraces).

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 45,000 farmers engaged in watershed conservation practices
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship/founding, core, major and supporting.

• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)flagship/foundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTNC is the founding organization of UTNWF. It sprouted the water fund concept and provided decades of global experience, research, and practice. UTNWF became independent from TNC in September 2021 but continues to benefit from the association. TNC has launched water funds in 30+ cities globally.
• Government of KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Water Fund was adopted as a national priority by the Government of Kenya in 2016. MOU's were signed with 4 county governments in 2018. Government ministries and agencies participate in governance.
• County Governments (Nyeri, Laikipia, Murang'a, Nyandarua, Kiambu)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive county governments in the Upper Tana watershed have signed MOUs with UTNWF and participate through County Advisory Committees. They support implementation of conservation practices within their jurisdictions.
• EABL (East African Breweries Limited)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEABL is a major corporate partner investing in the water fund as a downstream water beneficiary and as part of its sustainability commitments.
• Coca-ColamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoca-Cola is a corporate partner supporting the water fund, contributing to water stewardship and watershed conservation initiatives.
• Co-operative Bank of KenyamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-operative Bank of Kenya supports the water fund as a corporate partner contributing to sustainable development goals.
• Equity BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquity Bank partners with the water fund supporting financial inclusion and sustainable environmental initiatives.
• KCB FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKCB Foundation supports the water fund as part of its corporate social responsibility and sustainability programs.
• Water Resources Authority (WRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWRA is a government regulatory body managing Kenya's water resources. It participates in the County Advisory Committee and supports watershed monitoring.
• National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEMA participates in the County Advisory Committee and provides regulatory oversight for environmental conservation activities in the watershed.
• Kenya Forest Service (KFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKFS is represented on the County Advisory Committee and works on forest conservation and reforestation in the Upper Tana watershed.
• Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWS participates in the County Advisory Committee, contributing to conservation of wildlife habitats within the watershed ecosystem.
• Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWARMA partners with UTNWF for water quality and quantity monitoring using gauging stations and Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers. WARMA employs local staff to measure water levels twice daily.
• National Museums of Kenya (NMK)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMK conducts river monitoring activities including macro-invertebrate sampling and bird surveys to assess catchment health in the Upper Tana watershed.
• Athi Water Works Development AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Athi Water Works Development Agency provides office space and operates water infrastructure in the Nairobi region, serving as a downstream beneficiary of watershed conservation.
• FrigokensupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrigoken, a food processing company, partners with the water fund supporting sustainable agriculture among contracted farmers.
• Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCWSC is the primary water utility for Nairobi and a major downstream beneficiary of improved watershed management in the Upper Tana.
• CIFOR-ICRAFsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIFOR-ICRAF (World Agroforestry Centre) contributes research and technical expertise on agroforestry and sustainable land management practices.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• WaterAid: WaterAid is a major international NGO focused on water security and WASH services globally, with active operations in Kenya. Comparable as a water-focused nonprofit engaging in Kenya and East Africa, but with a broader service-delivery and advocacy mandate rather than a watershed-protection funding mechanism.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): WWF operates globally on freshwater and watershed conservation, including Kenya programs. Comparable as a large environmental NGO using nature-based solutions and engaging corporates on water stewardship, though WWF is much larger and broader in scope.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): IUCN is a global conservation union with active water and biodiversity programs in Kenya and East Africa, including watershed restoration initiatives. Comparable as a convener on nature-based solutions and policy frameworks for water security, though as a membership-based body rather than operational water fund.
• Conservation International: Conservation International operates global nature-based conservation and climate programs, including freshwater initiatives. Comparable as a global conservation NGO deploying nature-based solutions in priority watersheds, with stronger focus on biodiversity and climate finance than municipal water security.
• The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy founded UTNWF and operates 40+ water funds globally. Directly comparable as the originator of the water fund model UTNWF uses, though TNC is a much larger global NGO with broader conservation mandates beyond water.

Direct peers

• Wetlands International: Wetlands International focuses on wetland and waterbird habitat conservation, with significant East African operations. Comparable as a nature-based water conservation organization working on watershed and riparian protection, though with a stronger biodiversity than municipal-water focus.
• Replenish Africa Initiative (Coca-Cola/UNDP/Green Belt Movement): Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN) is Coca-Cola's flagship water fund in Africa supporting community water and watershed projects. Directly comparable as a corporate-funded water fund in Africa, and UTNWF lists Coca-Cola as a corporate partner, indicating likely operational overlap.
• Quito Water Fund (FONAG): FONAG is the original TNC-supported water fund serving Quito, Ecuador — the direct prototype for UTNWF. Both organizations operate trust-based water funds connecting downstream urban water users with upstream conservation investments, using similar stakeholder alignment and endowment models.
• Cascade Water Fund: Another TNC-model water fund in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. It directly mirrors UTNWF's structure (downstream payers funding upstream conservation) but in a developed-market context with different financing mechanisms.

Emerging players

• Forest Trends: Forest Trends develops and promotes markets and financial mechanisms for ecosystem services including watershed services, water funds, and biodiversity credits. Comparable as an organization designing financing structures for nature-based solutions, though operating as an incubator/think-tank rather than running field conservation programs directly.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WaterFundAfrica
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@uppertanawaterfund?si=k102SU2oRM6twkNQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/Uppertanawaterfundke
• Instagraminstagram.com/uppertanawaterfund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/upper-tana-nairobi-water-fund-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund Trust