Digitalising hope: How digitalising VSLA groups is promoting financial inclusion among rural communities in Rwanda 

Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) have become the backbone of community finance in many villages across Rwanda. In these groups, women, men, and youth gather weekly to save, lend, and support one another.
Papa Soja

The Return of Papa Soja: When a Community Becomes the Heart of Change 

“We could never imagine that this project would turn out to be such a success,” says Alemão, Director of Macharote Primary School in Dondo, Mozambique. His smile says it all, participants share pride, relief, and the quiet satisfaction of seeing a community effort come full circle.
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VSLA Rwanda

Rising from the rubble: How village saving groups are rewriting futures in rural Rwanda 

In Gahungeri village, Niyonsaba Didacienne, a 39-year-old mother of two, is steadily regaining hope for a better life following the death of her husband. Today, she leads the Abunzubumwe Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA), a 32-member group. This is after attending training and mentorship on entrepreneurship, financial literacy organised by ForAfrika in her community. VSLAs are small member-managed microfinance groups that empower individuals living in poverty to build savings and access low-interest loans.

A life inspired by Africa

“Potatoes! Potatoes!” came the cry up the stairwell of the six-story apartment block in Maputo. It was the early 1980s and Mozambique was in the midst of civil war – and a famine.

Photo Essay: Pan-African Women’s Day

Today, we celebrate Pan-African Women’s Day which, according to the African Union, is “a day to celebrate and acknowledge the Foremothers of Africa who gallantly fought for the liberation and development of this continent”. It is a day dedicated to recognising the vital role women play in achieving the continent’s inclusive growth and sustainable development goals.
Empowering women changes the whole story

Empowering women ‘changes the whole story’

Women of Africa

Photo Essay: Women of Africa

ForAfrika’s chief photographer, Sulette Theron reflects on her journeys around the continent and the women she has met along the way:
DrMary

Indigenous aid organisations have what it takes to put Africa on the road to success

Dr Mary Okumu: ForAfrika senior director and head of the technical unit Along with saving lives and livelihoods, Africa’s homegrown non-governmental organisations have an important role to play in establishing platforms for economic development and smoothing the way for the private sector to invest. Africa is a continent brimming with economic opportunity, one that would
Savings lead to transformation for a refugee family

Savings lead to transformation for a refugee family

Rosemary’s careful money management has allowed her to open a shop and dream of bigger things Rosemary Anania, 47, is a refugee from South Sudan living in the Imvepi refugee settlement in Uganda. Rosemary is a member of the Trust Farmers Village Savings and Loan Association, a group supported by ForAfrika. “My children and I
Amplify the voices of African women

Amplify the voices of African women: Ann Pretorius