Mr Hzekiel Aynalem - Aqua for All

Hzekiel Aynalem is the Country Representative and Water and Sanitation Finance Manager at Aqua for All, with over 15 years of experience advancing sustainable, inclusive, and market-based water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions in Ethiopia. 

In his dual role, he represents Aqua for All at the country level while leading the organisation’s work on innovative water and sanitation financing. His focus includes the design and structuring of revolving credit facilities, blended and concessional finance mechanisms, and performance-based de-risking models, as well as strategic engagement with commercial banks, microfinance institutions, and impact investors to mobilise private capital for WASH market development and scale. 

Before joining Aqua for All, Hzekiel worked with VisionFund Ethiopia, where he led WASH finance initiatives, partnership development, and private-sector engagement, supporting the design and scale-up of water and sanitation loan products for households and small businesses. Earlier in his career, he held technical and programme management roles with CARE Ethiopia, World Vision Ethiopia, and government health offices, including contributions to urban health extension programmes. Through these roles, he developed deep expertise in WASH systems strengthening, sanitation marketing, hygiene promotion, public health interventions, and community-level service delivery. 

Hzekiel holds a master’s degree in project management and a bachelor’s degree in environmental health, providing a strong foundation that bridges technical WASH expertise, programme leadership, and financial innovation. His work consistently integrates WASH outcomes with broader objectives related to public health, climate resilience and economic empowerment 

Hzekiel brings strong expertise in partnership development, financial sector engagement, market development and program implementation, working closely with financial institutions, regulators, government stakeholders, enterprises and development partners. He is particularly committed to climate-smart and gender-responsive water and sanitation finance, and to building resilient water and sanitation markets that deliver long-term impact at scale.