Amakobe Sande (L), UNICEF representative to China, and Zhu Ying, general manager of the Sovereign Business Department of the Export-Import Bank of China, sign a memorandum of understanding in Beijing, Feb. 11, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The Export-Import Bank of China (China EximBank) and UNICEF signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday, marking the first collaboration between UNICEF and a financial institution based in China. This joint effort will focus on strengthening essential services for the well-being of children in Nigeria.

The partnership will expand access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for vulnerable children and families. The program will reach 12 health-care facilities, 21 schools and 450 communities in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory.

"UNICEF is grateful to the EximBank for this groundbreaking partnership," said Amakobe Sande, UNICEF representative to China. "We look forward to working together to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases and improve critical services that safeguard children's well-being."

Achieving universal access to WASH services by 2030 is a key goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In Nigeria, however, inadequate access to such services is a major contributor of child mortality and elevates the risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea. It is estimated that only about 10% of Nigeria's 110 million children have access to basic WASH services.

"We appreciate UNICEF's active contribution to the global cause for children," said Yang Dongning, vice president of the China EximBank. "This program marks a new chapter in our cooperation, and its tangible outcomes will serve as a model for future collaborations."

Beyond WASH services, the initiative will also work to strengthen Nigeria's primary health care system, enhancing maternal and newborn care, and immunization programs. It will further support community engagement and social mobilization and reinforce WASH-related systems and institutions to ensure greater impact. 

"Waterborne diseases continue to pose a grave threat to children's health in Nigeria," said Cristian Munduate, UNICEF representative to Nigeria. She added that this initiative is a crucial step toward securing the rights and well-being of thousands of children in Nigeria.