Water and Sanitation Providers Association

What Water and Sanitation Providers Association does

The Water and Sanitation Providers Association (WASPA) is a nonprofit professional association registered in November 2002 under the Societies Act (CAP 108) of Kenya, headquartered in Nairobi at Maji House. It was established following the Water Act 2002, which created new water companies that assumed provision of water and sewerage services from municipal councils, and serves as the recognized representative forum for these Water Service Providers (WSPs). WASPA's primary members are Kenyan water utilities and water companies, supplemented by engagement with government institutions (Ministry of Water, Sanitation & Irrigation; WASREB; Council of Governors) and water-sector development partners (Aqua for All, Water.org, GWOPA/UN-Habitat, IBNET). Member Managing Directors also sit on WASPA's Executive Committee, embedding the association within utility governance structures.

WASPA's core technology asset is the WASPA National Benchmarking Platform, which hosts 38 WSPs and enables structured peer-to-peer performance comparison across four thematic areas: Pro-Poor service delivery, Cost Recovery, Service Level, and Non-Revenue Water management. A 2025 partnership with IBNET extends this benchmarking capability to international-level data sharing. The association also curates and disseminates smart-metering and NRW-reduction practices implemented via third-party technology providers (GoSoft, Diehl Metering, Wilo East Africa). Other major offerings include annual conferences (Kenya Water and Sanitation International Conference, Kenya Non-Revenue Water Conference, Kenya Sanitation Governance Conference), bimonthly member meetings hosted at rotating utility locations, and training programs in OSHE, financial reporting, and job evaluation. WASPA also publishes technical guidelines covering water meters, pipes, valves, and pumps.

WASPA generates revenue primarily through annual membership subscriptions from WSPs, paid training programs, and conferences and exhibitions. The FY25 Infrastructure Partnership with Co-operative Bank of Kenya, Aqua for All, and Water.org extends WASPA's role into capital facilitation, offering member utilities loan facilities (BBR+2% interest, up to 60-month tenure, 6-month grace) alongside results-based grants and capacity-building support. The association also engages in sector advocacy (notably on tax policy) and convenes with the Ministry of Water and the Council of Governors to influence national water-sector regulation and policy.

Name

Water and Sanitation Providers Association

Legal name

Water and Sanitation Providers Association

Website

https://waspakenya.or.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WASPA is a Kenyan nonprofit association founded in 2002 that represents Water Service Providers nationwide, operating a National Benchmarking Platform for 38 member utilities and delivering conferences, training, and a FY25 Infrastructure Partnership for sector financing and capacity building.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water sector association services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management (BPADALAH)

Keywords

• Water utility association
• Sector benchmarking services
• Capacity building programs
• Non-revenue water management
• Water sector advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: WASPA generates revenue through annual subscription fees from its member Water Service Providers (WSPs) across Kenya. The association also organizes paid conferences, training programs, and certification courses for members.
2. Training and Capacity Building Services: The association conducts paid training programs including OSHE training, financial reporting training, and job evaluation training for member utilities and sector professionals.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

WASPA is a membership association that provides Water Service Providers (WSPs) in Kenya with a National Benchmarking Platform hosting 38 utilities, annual sector conferences, paid training programs (OSHE, financial reporting, job evaluation), bi-monthly peer meetings, and Non-Revenue Water management advisory services. It also serves as the recognized advocacy body for water utilities, channeling infrastructure financing partnerships with development partners and banks.

Product overview

The Water and Sanitation Providers Association (WASPA) operates as a membership association for Water Services Providers (WSPs) in Kenya, offering a portfolio of services centered on the WASPA National Benchmarking Platform for performance enhancement, major annual conferences (Kenya Water and Sanitation International Conference, Kenya Non Revenue Water Conference, Kenya Sanitation Governance Conference), training programs (OSHE, Financial Reporting, Job Evaluation), bimonthly member meetings, and NRW management technical support. The association functions as a platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and advocacy rather than a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WASPA National Benchmarking Platform A digital performance-enhancement platform hosting 38 Water Service Providers for technical and financial improvement across four thematic areas: Pro-Poor, Cost Recovery, Service Level, and Non-Revenue Water Management; open to member WSPs.
• Kenya Water and Sanitation International Conference & Exhibition

Quantifiable outcome

• Water coverage improved from 39% to 56% at Olkalou Water under member leadership
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Ministry of Water, Sanitation & IrrigationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry that enacted the Water Act 2002 creating water companies. Co-hosting Kenya Water Conference on Non-Revenue Water Management (June 30-July 3, 2026) alongside WASPA, Council of Governors, County Government of Nakuru, and Kenya Water Institute.
• Council of GovernorsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational body representing County Governments partnering with WASPA for sector initiatives including the Kenya Water Conference on NRW Management 2026.
• County Government of NakurumajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost county for the Kenya Water Conference on NRW Management (June 30-July 3, 2026) in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
• Kenya Water InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical training institution co-hosting Kenya Water Conference on NRW Management 2026 with WASPA and government partners.
• GWOPA/UN-HabitatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Water Operators' Partnerships Alliance providing mentorship program supporting five Kenyan water utilities (Kakamega, Amatsi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Oloolaiser) with Kisumu Water as lead mentor, targeting 250,000 people in low-income areas over three years.
• IBNET (International Benchmarking Networking)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew IBNet partnership enabling Kenyan water service providers to share data on an international level, improving service delivery performance and management practices through global benchmarking.
• BIVACminorOthersPartner organization listed among WASPA's official partners providing sector support services.
• KMTminorOthersPartner organization listed among WASPA's official partners providing sector support services.
• JIKAminorOthersPartner organization listed among WASPA's official partners providing sector support services.
• APHRCminorOthersAfrican Population and Health Research Center listed as partner organization supporting WASPA's research and knowledge sharing initiatives.
• Fresh LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization partnering with utilities and urban residents to develop and expand safe, inclusive, and financially sustainable citywide sanitation solutions. Chaired by Eng. Robert Gakubia.
• Water Services Maintenance Trust Fund (WSMTF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrust fund supporting rural water system sustainability through post-construction assistance. Eng. Robert Gakubia serves as Trustee.
• Water Integrity Network (WIN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization promoting transparency and fighting corruption in the water sector. Eng. Robert Gakubia serves second term on WIN Supervisory Board.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB): Kenya's water sector regulator that publishes the Impact Report ranking referenced by WASPA members. Comparable sector influence role but regulatory rather than membership-based; a key stakeholder for WASPA's advocacy and benchmarking activities.
• Global Water Partnership (GWP): International network promoting integrated water resources management. Comparable thought-leadership and convening role, with overlapping WASH and IWRM agenda; a potential partner or competitor in policy advocacy spaces.
• Kenya Water Institute (KEWI): Government training institution co-hosting WASPA conferences and providing capacity building for the Kenyan water sector. Directly comparable training and certification function, though state-owned rather than member-driven.
• GWOPA/UN-Habitat: UN-Habitat programme operating Water Operators' Partnerships with peer utility mentorship. Already a core WASPA partner, but operates globally and could extend its benchmarking/mentorship offerings into WASPA's niche.

Emerging players

• IRC WASH: International WASH knowledge and capacity-building organization active in East Africa. Comparable in producing technical guidelines, benchmarking tools, and sector research that complement or compete with WASPA's knowledge products.
• WaterAid Kenya: INGO focused on WASH service delivery to low-income communities in Kenya. Shares WASPA's pro-poor and sector coordination focus, with overlapping partnerships (e.g., Water.org) but a programmatic rather than trade-association model.

Broad incumbents

• International Water Association (IWA): Global membership network for water professionals spanning utilities, regulators, and academia. Comparable in convening and knowledge dissemination role but operates at much larger scale and global scope, with overlapping training and benchmarking offerings.

Direct peers

• African Water Association (AfWA): Continental-level trade association for water utilities and professionals across Africa. Direct comparable as a peer membership body serving WSPs with knowledge sharing, capacity building, and advocacy — WASPA operates as Kenya's national chapter equivalent within the African WASH ecosystem.

Regional players

• Water Services Association of South Africa (WASA): South Africa's national water utility trade association providing benchmarking, training, and advocacy. Comparable operating model (membership-funded, WSP-focused, single country) but serves a larger and more mature market.
• WaterCAN (South Africa): Civil society WASH accountability organization in South Africa focused on service delivery monitoring. Comparable in policy advocacy and citizen-facing benchmarking, though operating as an NGO rather than utility association.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtCfZ5zNBKf7l9q4B-XwNrQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waspa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Water and Sanitation Providers Association