Naivasha Bulk Water and Wastewater PPP set to transform water supply and treatment in Naivasha, Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya, 9th October 2025 – An agreement has been signed between consortium partners Haskoning, RebelGroup (Rebel), Africa Water Infrastructure Development (AWID), WaterConnect, and the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) – through its project development solution, InfraCo - to advance the Naivasha Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Domestic Bulk Water Supply and Wastewater Project in Kenya.
The project, initiated by Haskoning and Rebel, was approved by the Kenyan PPP Directorate to proceed to the project development phase in May 2025. Structured as a public-private partnership (PPP), the Naivasha project is poised to significantly improve water and wastewater infrastructure in Kenya. Designed to serve both domestic users as well as industries located within the Naivasha SEZ, the scheme will deliver modern bulk water supply and wastewater treatment services under a 30-year PPP framework with the Ministry of Water and Sanitation.
Michel Riemersma, Project Director at Haskoning said, “We are excited to work with world-class partners on a project designed to create value for all stakeholders, particularly the citizens of Naivasha. We are proud to be the initiators of this project and to work in an innovative manner, combining our roles as consultant and developer. This project is fully aligned with our company motto: ‘Enhance Society Together”
Rob Winters, Director at Rebel, stated: “the project is a vital step toward ensuring safe, reliable, and sustainable water for both communities and the Naivasha SEZ. By expanding bulk water capacity and upgrading wastewater treatment systems, the project not only secures clean drinking water but also safeguards the ecosystem and biodiversity of Lake Naivasha. Through an innovative, climate-resilient approach and a robust PPP, our consortium will be able to demonstrate how infrastructure investment can drive both environmental restoration and inclusive regional growth.”
The consortium partners intend to jointly advance the project through the Kenyan PPP development process, drawing on their collective expertise in engineering, project development, and infrastructure finance. The project will include the design, financing, construction, operations and maintenance of potable water supply and wastewater treatment infrastructure, serving both domestic users and industries within the SEZ.
Dr. Ernest Poku, Executive Director of AWID, added: AWID, a platform co-established by British International Investment (BII) and Metito Utilities, was created to demonstrate that sustainable water infrastructure in Africa can be both impactful and commercially viable. The Naivasha project sets a benchmark for the region by bringing together public and private expertise to deliver reliable, climate-smart water and wastewater services. We are proud to be leading the next phase of the project on behalf of the consortium, and we hope it will inspire more projects like this through effective collaboration and innovative financing.
Speaking of the partnership, John Moyer, President of WaterConnect said: “This project shows what’s possible when committed partners come together to co-develop lasting water solutions. Thanks to public-private collaboration and a shared vision for impact, we’re helping ensure that current and future generations in Naivasha have reliable access to water, laying the groundwork for healthier, more resilient communities.”
Omar Jabri, PIDG Head of Business Development (Africa) for InfraCo concluded, “PIDG works to mobilise private sector finance into infrastructure projects which accelerate climate action and deliver sustainable development outcomes. The Naivasha SEZ and Domestic Bulk Water Supply and Wastewater Project epitomises this work, and we are excited to work with Haskoning, Rebel, AWID and WaterConnect to realise its potential. With improved access to clean drinking water, modern wastewater treatment facilities, and water to support local industry within the SEZ, we anticipate that the region will increase its resilience to future climate and economic shocks.”
More than 270,000 end users are expected to benefit from improved access to drinking water and sanitation services which will improve quality of life and enhance climate resilience. The project will support the transition of households and businesses from water kiosks to household connections. Connected businesses in the associated SEZ are expected to benefit from greater reliability and access to water, supporting increased productivity and profitability. The project will also improve surface water quality via wastewater treatment and reuse in one of Kenya’s fastest-growing regions.
The Naivasha SEZ and Domestic Bulk Water Supply and Wastewater PPP will be designed to incorporate efficiency, resilience, and sustainability, ensuring reliable and affordable services for decades to come. The project is expected to strengthen Kenya’s water security while also meeting the country’s urban development objectives and supporting industrial growth.
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Notes to editor:
About Haskoning: Haskoning is an independent international consultancy that combines engineering, design and consultancy services with software and technology. Based on our mission Enhancing Society Together, we take responsibility for having a positive impact on the world and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Our 6,800 employees are spread across offices in more than 25 countries worldwide – working together with clients on future-proof solutions. As of 1981 we are a Royal company, as designated by the Royal House of The Netherlands. www.haskoning.com
About RebelGroup: Rebel is a leading international advisory, development and investment firm specializing in infrastructure finance and public-private partnerships. Founded on the belief that impactful change requires both rigorous analysis and pragmatic action, Rebel combines advisory services with hands-on implementation and investment. The firm operates across sectors, including transport, water, technology, energy, health care, and social infrastructure sectors, supporting governments, private developers and investors, and financial institutions design and deliver sustainable, future-proof solutions. With offices in multiple countries, Rebel’s multidisciplinary teams blend strategy, finance and transaction expertise to tackle issues like climate transition, urban mobility, and circular economy. What sets Rebel apart is its commitment to creating lasting public value, working not just for clients, but with them, to drive systemic, positive change. www.rebelgroup.com
About Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG): PIDG is an innovative infrastructure project developer and investor which mobilises private investment in sustainable and inclusive infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa and south and southeast Asia. PIDG investments promote socio-economic development within a just transition to net zero emissions, combat poverty and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PIDG delivers its ambition in line with its values of pioneering, partnership, safety, inclusivity, and urgency. PIDG offers technical assistance for upstream, early-stage activities and concessional capital; invests in early-stage project development and project and corporate equity through its project development solution, InfraCo; its debt solution EAAIF (the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund) is one of the first and more successful blended debt funds in low-income markets; and its guarantees solution, GuarantCo, provides credit enhancement and local currency solutions to de-risk projects. PIDG also supports a growing portfolio of local credit enhancement facilities, which unlock domestic institutional capital for infrastructure financing. Since 2002, PIDG has supported 258 infrastructure projects to financial close, which provided an estimated 232 million people with access to new or improved infrastructure. PIDG is funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia and Sweden, and Global Affairs Canada. www.pidg.org
About Africa Water Infrastructure Development (AWID): Africa Water Infrastructure Development (AWID) is first-of-its-kind investment platform dedicated to developing, financing, and operating climate-smart and sustainable water infrastructure across Africa. Co-established by Metito Utilities, a global investor, developer, and operator of sustainable water management solutions, and British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, AWID demonstrates a viable commercial model for water and wastewater projects in Africa by mobilizing long-term private capital through public-private partnerships (PPPs). The platform integrates sustainable and innovative technologies to reduce environmental impact and expand access to safe and reliable water services, particularly in regions most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. AWID develops and finances world-class water and wastewater treatment facilities, incorporating clean and renewable energy components to enhance operational efficiency and long-term sustainability. Its inaugural asset, the Kigali Bulk Water Supply Project in Rwanda, is the first water PPP of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa (outside South Africa) and provides 25% of Kigali’s potable water needs. Building on this success, AWID continues to expand its portfolio to deliver transformational water projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 5, 6, and 13) and the CARE (Climate Adaptation and Renewable Energy) for Water framework initiated by BII. www.awidco.com
About WaterConnect: WaterConnect is a project development company dedicated to creating opportunities for construction-stage investment in resilient water and sanitation infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries. WaterConnect brings early-stage financing and technical expertise to complement local partners, develop new infrastructure, and deploy technology that will impact water access, quality, and scarcity, and in turn build resilience for people, cities, and watersheds. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon of global nonprofit Water.org, WaterConnect is built on decades of experience investing in water and sanitation. For more information, visit https://waterconnectglobal.com/.
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