Container-based sanitation: State of the sector, 2025

State of the Sector report viewable and downloadable here.

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Unlocking the sector’s full potential will require access to start-up capital

for new operators and broader financial innovation is needed to support both growth-stage and emerging CBS providers.

Government adoption is key to unlocking scale

Government adoption is key to unlocking scale Scaling CBS is not simply about expanding service delivery – it requires CBS to be treated as a mainstream sanitation option. This requires explicit government recognition through policy, regulation, and integration into urban planning and budgeting.

If you read nothing else, I encourage you to review the following Opportunities content copy on pp. 53:

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Prospective CBS providers

• Embed government engagement and public adoption as a core objective from the outset and work closely with authorities to align to their needs and plans.

• Use participatory, user-centred design to align services with community aspirations and ensure long-term uptake.

• Plan how to maximise inclusion and coverage by learning from existing subsidy initiatives.

• Harness CBS climate benefits to deliver action on the climate crisis and access new sources of funding through climate finance.

Governments and sanitation authorities

• Recognise CBS as a safe, inclusive and climate smart solution and integrate it into national and municipal sanitation policies, plans, regulations and incentives.

• Harness CBS climate benefits to deliver action on the climate crisis and access new sources of funding through climate finance.

• Work with the sector to make public procurement frameworks suitable for CBS, including performance-based contracts.

Regulators

• Recognise CBS as a safe, inclusive and climate smart solution, establish and enforce clear service standards for CBS.

• Incentivise sanitation operators to expand services to the most vulnerable residents through subsidies or performance-based payments.

• Promote safe and climate-smart approaches by integrating climate resilience and environmental impact criteria, to ensure full-service