Our History

Cowater International Inc. is incorporated on March 29, with headquarters in Ottawa. Its first major project (K-BIRD) in Nepal, worth CAD 24M, focuses on sustainable rural development.

Cowater delivers the Water Supply and Sanitation Investment Plan, funded by the World Bank, marking its entry into the water and sanitation sector. This groundbreaking initiative introduced Cowater’s first female Team Leader, reflecting an early commitment to gender inclusion in technical leadership. The project laid the foundation for decades of sustained engagement in Pakistan, where Cowater would go on to lead multi-phase national programs in water, environment, and public health engineering.

Cowater is awarded the CAD 12.5M Community Water Project (COWAP), funded by the Canadian government, marking a turning point in its WASH work. Implemented from 1993 to 2000, the initiative improved water, sanitation, and health conditions in over 2,600 rural communities across Ghana’s Upper Regions. It was the first large project where Cowater was the Prime Contractor, demonstrating its ability to manage large-scale, multi-stakeholder initiatives. This success became the foundation for a 25-year portfolio of water and sanitation programs that later expanded to countries such as Mozambique and Malawi, shaping Cowater’s long-term reputation as a leader in community-based WASH solutions.

Multiple long-term projects strengthen Pakistan’s environment, health, and finance institutions, building a strong country portfolio.

The USD 8.1M Municipal Financial Management Technical Assistance Project, funded by the World Bank/DBSA, strengthens financial governance in 23 municipalities, introducing multi-year budgeting reforms and improving service delivery.

A CAD 6.1M project, Women Defining Peace empowers women’s political participation and strengthens responses to gender-based violence. The success of this initiative opened doors to additional , cementing its reputation in women’s rights and governance.

Successfully managed rapid organic growth and quadrupling of revenues . This growth enabled Cowater to expand into new markets.

Implements the World Bank-funded Local Governance Project, Cowater’s first major engagement in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, paving the way for work in Palestine, Jordan, Haiti and Ukraine. This built on earlier work done in other fragile states, such as Haiti.

Flagship GAC-funded renewable energy and economic development SEED project in Jordan delivers 3,200 solar systems, cutting CO₂ emissions by 260,000 tonnes, while empowering women-led startups and improving energy access in schools and health centres. This built Cowater’s renewable energy portfolio with future projects in Burkina Faso with Windega, our first private contribution project.

Cowater formalizes its Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI)  approach through an internal, cross-sector working group.

On June 18, Cowater acquires AECOM International Development Ltd. (UK) from DT Global. Renamed Cowater UK Ltd., the acquisition expands Cowater’s reach across Europe and Africa and strengthens its delivery of large-scale trade and governance projects.

Cowater strengthens governance, democracy, elections reform, security sector reform, peace building and mediation, MEL, and public sector reform expertise in Europe and Africa.

Cowater expands into Finland, Sweden, Germany, New Zealand, Singapore, and Kenya, integrating all entities under Cowater International and strengthening its expertise in WASH, education, and climate change, along with other priority sectors of Nordic donors, the ADB, and New Zealand’s aid programme.

Cowater joins forces with Canberra-based firm Equity Economics to expand expertise in public finance and economic development across Asia-Pacific.

Builds expertise in public finance, governance reform, and decentralization across Africa and Latin America.

Strengthens presence in Haiti (policing, governance) and Africa (auditor general, financial oversight).

CRC Sogema formally merged with Cowater → CowaterSogema International Inc.

AECOM International Development (IDEV) builds global reputation in governance, trade, and development delivery.

Becomes a platform for winning and delivering UK FCDO-funded projects, broadening portfolio to include economic development, infrastructure, energy transition, urbanisation and climate research. Achieves strategic supplier status for FCDO.

Expands rapidly across Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe (TACIS and PHARE countries), providing Technical Assistance with EU donors in agriculture, governance, institutional capacity building, and democracy support. First Framework Contractor of the EU in Asia and Latin America.

Strengthens expertise in fragile states, rule of law, and security sector reform. Expands collaboration with bilateral agencies (AFD, Enabel, DFID, GAC), International Organisations and UN Agencies. Civipol acquires Transtec.

Entity renamed Cowater International SA, based in Belgium. Acquisition expands Cowater’s EU presence and technical expertise in governance, elections, and fragile state programming.

Services broadened to include infrastructure, environmental engineering, water and waste management, and natural resources. The first international project launched in Tunisia in the forestry sector.

Diversified into governance, education, environment, and economic development, with new clients including the EU and Sida. Established subsidiaries in New Zealand, Sweden, and several Eastern European countries.

Cowater acquires FCG’s international development business, strengthening Cowater’s Nordic and Asia-Pacific footprint with new hubs across Northern Europe and the Pacific.

Equity Economics wins strategic advisory roles in Indonesia, designing and delivering major DFAT investments including Katalis.

Cowater acquires Equity Economics, solidifying its investment in the Asia Pacific region. The partnership quickly wins a range of new design and evaluation work in economic governance and security in the Pacific region.