Head, Strategy and Partnerships, LAPO Microfinance Bank (MFB) Evbuomwan Efosa has disclosed that sustainable sanitation is not only about awareness, but requires solutions that respond to economic realities of households and communities.

Speaking during the presentation of market research findings under LAPO MFB Curbing Open Defecation Prevalence through Economic Empowerment (Project COPE), held in Ebonyi State recently, he said the research and stakeholder consultations were important to ensuring that interventions under Project COPE respond to the realities and needs of communities.

To him, market research and stakeholder engagement provide an opportunity to listen, validate the evidence and identify practical financing and partnership models that can support lasting sanitation improvements.

He further called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to translating the findings into interventions that can deliver measurable impact across communities.

In his remarks, Head, Corporate Services, LAPO MFB, Abel Ovenseri noted that such high-level engagement would enable stronger partnerships and connect communities with practical financial solutions that can support better sanitation outcomes while also strengthening livelihoods.

He noted addressing sanitation challenges requires looking beyond infrastructure and consider the economic realities that shape the choices available to households and communities.

He said findings from Project COPE provided useful insights into realities and opportunities for developing financing solutions that can make improved sanitation more accessible.

The stakeholder engagement also provided an opportunity for participants to validate the research findings and contribute perspectives that will inform the next phase of Project COPE implementation in Abakaliki.

Project COPE reflects LAPO MFB’s broader commitment to using financial inclusion and economic empowerment as tools for addressing social and environmental challenges, while supporting communities to improve living conditions and build sustainable livelihoods.

The market research findings and stakeholder inputs are expected to guide the development and implementation of interventions that connect sanitation improvements with accessible financial services and economic opportunities for households and communities in Ebonyi State.

The stakeholder presentation brought together representatives of government, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, WASH agencies, financial institutions, communities and the media to examine the research findings and identify practical opportunities for advancing sanitation outcomes in the state.

The engagement was organised by LAPO MFB and supported by the Financial Inclusion Fund, managed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The Ebonyi engagement builds on an earlier stakeholder engagement held in Plateau State under Project COPE, through which LAPO MFB has continued to bring relevant stakeholders together to examine sanitation challenges, validate community-level insights and explore sustainable financing solutions.

Presentations at the meeting covered the Project COPE journey, findings from the market research, progress under the Community-Led Total Sanitation Plus (CLTS+) initiative, as well as financial products offered by LAPO MFB that could support sanitation-related needs and economic activities.