This short film shows how microfinance loans can transform the lives of disadvantaged people and their communities.

Donations from the Alquity Africa Fund support:

Micro loan services - microfinance is not a ‘hand out’, but a loan that is paid back at a fixed term and a fixed rate of interest. Micro loans enable small business owners to invest in their businesses and increase their potential income.

Micro savings services - using mobile banks to ensure that accounts are secure and accessible where people live and work. Millions of people in developing countries can’t open deposit accounts at commercial banks, either because they can’t prove their identity or because banks won’t accept their small deposits. Micro savings services enable people to save part of their income, providing security for themselves and their families.

Micro insurance services – without insurance, low-income households often use their savings to meet unexpected costs like sickness and natural disaster. In Africa, the cost of a funeral is approximately three months of disposable income. Micro insurance protects people against a number of risks, from death to unfavourable weather conditions which can destroy crops and livestock.

Business training programmes – educating people to make wise financial decisions and equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in their businesses, such as budgeting and book-keeping.

Our microfinance case studies:

Gertrude Umali (Malawi)
Microfinance helped poultry farmer Gertrude Umali to significantly expand her business in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Gertrude has been able to build a brick poultry house for 1,000 more chickens, as well as a wall around her home and business to prevent theft. Additional income has enabled Gertrude to open a savings account and finance improvements to her home, which now has electricity and running water. The business supports Gertrude’s family and has created badly needed jobs for seven employees.

Nelizer Darko (Ghana)
Nelizer Darko used her first microfinance loan to buy ingredients for her small baking business in bulk, enabling her to increase her profit whilst also paying for her children’s school fees.

Now on her sixth loan cycle, Nelizer is the proud owner of Asomdwee (‘Peace’) Bakery. The bakery serves 30-40 customers per day. The profits from Nelizer’s business have allowed her to move to a larger home and send her 14-year-old daughter to school. She employs 18 people in her local community and provides shelter, food and clothing for five local orphans.