Aninver Wins First Contract in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Aninver awarded first contract in DRC to manage results-based grants under World Bank’s PASEA program, improving water and sanitation access.
Malaga, Spain – July 2025 – Aninver Development Partners, in consortium with Ingeagua, has been awarded its first contract in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The consortium has been selected by the Cellule d’Exécution des Projets-Eau (CEP-O) of the Ministry of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity to establish and operate the Results-Based Grants Management Entity (EG-SBR) under the World Bank/IDA-financed Programme d’Accès aux Services d’Eau et d’Assainissement (PASEA).
The project represents the first consultning assignment in the cuntry for Aninver.
Expanding Access to Water and Sanitation in DRC
The Democratic Republic of Congo has abundant freshwater resources, yet millions of people still lack access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services. To address this gap, the Government of the DRC, with support from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank, launched the PASEA program.
The overall objective of PASEA is twofold:
- Expand coverage of basic services in water supply and sanitation, particularly in peri-urban and rural areas.
- Strengthen public and private sector capacity to provide sustainable services, ensuring long-term improvements.
- The program is structured as a multi-phase initiative:
- Phase 1 (2024–2028) focuses on peri-urban and rural areas in the provinces of Kwilu, Kasaï, Kasaï Central, and Kasaï Oriental.
- Later phases will expand to additional provinces, including Ituri, Kongo Central, Lomami, Nord Kivu, and Sud Kivu, ultimately targeting nine provinces.
By the end of the program, 12 million people are expected to gain access to safe drinking water and 8 million people to improved sanitation services
A Results-Based Financing Approach
The specific role of Aninver and Ingeagua is to manage the Results-Based Grants (SBR) that form a cornerstone of the program. Under this approach, grants are awarded to local water operators (both private and community-based organizations such as ASUREP) only after measurable results have been achieved.
The expected outcomes include:
- Network expansion: new standpipes, private household connections, and small-scale storage.
- Energy upgrades: installation of solar-powered pumping systems to reduce operating costs and improve efficiency.
- Operational improvements: better billing and collection through pre-paid meters, reduction of water losses, and improved water quality monitoring.
Grants will be disbursed in three tranches: an initial advance for supplies, a second tranche to support works, and a final payment once results are independently verified by the EG-SBR
This approach ensures accountability and maximizes impact by linking funding directly to tangible service improvements.
Funded by the World Bank (IDA)
The program is financed by the International Development Association (IDA), the concessional financing arm of the World Bank. IDA funding supports the DRC’s water and sanitation sector by providing highly concessional loans and grants that reduce the financial burden on the government while enabling large-scale investments in infrastructure and service delivery.
The funds are channeled through CEP-O, which oversees national and provincial-level implementation, with Aninver and Ingeagua providing technical and operational expertise for the results-based grants scheme.
A Milestone for Aninver in Africa
This contract represents a significant milestone for Aninver Development Partners, consolidating its role as a trusted advisor and implementer of development projects in Africa. The project is fully aligned with Aninver’s mission to deliver impact through innovative solutions that strengthen local institutions, improve governance, and foster public-private collaboration in critical service delivery sectors.
“Our participation in this program reflects Aninver’s commitment to sustainable development and our capacity to bring global expertise to local challenges,” said Jose de la Maza, Managing Partner at Aninver. “We are proud to support the Government of the DRC and the World Bank in improving access to clean water and sanitation services for millions of people.”
