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Chuma Cha Azimai: Mobilizing Women-Owned Micro and Small Enterprises for Financial Inclusion of Young Women in Rural Zambia

Overview

  • Objective: The primary research objective is to train and equip young women ages 20 to 35 to become community-based banking agents in rural communities and examine the impact of digital financial services on financial access, usage, and capability.
  • Initiative/Approach: Through a multi-level digital banking model, the Chuma Cha Azimai project seeks to provide access to digital banking platforms through the provision of financial education, business management training and cash grants.
  • Findings: Anecdotal findings reported from Rising Fountains Development Program reveal increased savings, access to financial services and products, improved well-being of households, and more women-owned businesses among participants.
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Due to inaccessibility of formal financial services, limited access to capital, and lack of technical skills, young women entrepreneurs in rural communities face significant barriers to maintaining and expanding their businesses. To promote women’s financial inclusion and growth of women-owned micro and small enterprises, GSDI is proposing to test and evaluate a multi-level digital banking model with Chuma cha Azimai (women-owned wealth). 

The project’s objective is to train and equip young women ages 20 to 35 to become community-based banking agents, who will be the conduit for financial inclusion in rural communities by providing digital financial services. Chuma cha Azimai will examine impacts on financial access, usage, and capability. Chuma Cha Azimai comprises of multiple elements such as providing financial education, business management training, and cash grant(s) to purchase digital banking equipment, for example, point of sale device. Ultimately, it seeks to give access to digital banking platforms, including mobile banking and electronic payment services, and access to bank accounts connected to digital banking solutions.  

Location

Eastern Province, Zambia