Despite the fact that the financial services sector in many
countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, are still
characterized by manifold constraints and limitations, the
future potential of local financial markets for financing
rural water is very significant. The potential for increased involvement of local financial markets in the pro-poor water and sanitation sector is within reach. Successful approaches will require a general effort in particular by policy makers to develop financial systems in sub-Saharan countries, which would benefit from pro-poor rural financial services.