Cambodia’s WaterCredit Program Disburses $279 Million in Loans for Clean Water and Sanitation

MANILA, Philippines (Sept.17, 2025) — Cambodia’s WaterCredit Adoption Program has disbursed more than $279 million in loans to over 2.1 million people since its launch, significantly expanding access to clean water and sanitation, officials said Monday.

The figures were shared by Dith Nita, chairwoman of the Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA), during the Water Credit Partners Meeting held Sept. 16 in Manila. The event, organized by Water.org, focused on scaling sustainable financing solutions under the theme “Flowing Together: Financing Sustainable Solutions for Water and Sanitation.”

Nita said the program, which has issued more than 468,000 loans since its pilot in 2017, plays a transformative role in improving health, education and economic opportunity for underserved communities. “WCAD is not merely a financial product,” she said. “It acts as a bridge—empowering lives across Cambodia.”

The WaterCredit Adoption Program (WCAD) was initiated by CMA and financially supported by Water.org to promote financial inclusion through targeted lending for water and sanitation services. The Manila meeting brought together stakeholders from government, regulatory bodies, financial institutions and development partners to share best practices and explore future collaboration.

Participants discussed strategies to scale WCAD, strengthen financial systems, and improve access to essential services through inclusive finance.