FINCA Results

Measuring Our Impact

Social Performance Management

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Africa

Since launching operations in Uganda in 1992, FINCA has expanded its presence to six countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and is currently providing financial services to nearly 800,000 people. More than half of our borrowers are women, many of whom reside in rural areas where living conditions can be especially harsh. Half of our clients live in homes with no source of clean water, and more than a third have no electricity.

Unemployment is high and economic opportunities are few, especially for women. Despite these challenges, our clients in Africa show resilience and determination to improve their lives. While working hard to run profitable farms and businesses, they are also creating jobs for others. Access to more and better financial services can enhance the ability of these entrepreneurs to fight poverty, not only in their own families, but also in their communities.

Explore Africa Data ↓

Financial Inclusion

Africa:
Reaching the Financially Excluded

70% Adult population financially excluded
95,450 53% Female borrowers The majority of female borrowers are the primary income-earners in their families. % #
797,567 Total FINCA clients In Africa, savers outnumber borrowers by more than 4 to 1. FINCA subsidiaries in this region use non-traditional channels, such as mobile banking and rural agents, to mobilize small deposits in remote areas.
21,580 50% Borrowers in rural areas Rural outreach is particularly striking in Tanzania and Uganda, where it reaches 75%. % #
179,359 Total FINCA borrowers
85% Adult population financially excluded The rate of financial exclusion is higher than the regional average (70%).
27,254 49% Female borrowers % #
274,089 Total FINCA clients FINCA DRC has more than 8 times as many savers as borrowers.
11,065 20% Borrowers in rural areas Efforts are underway to reach more rural areas, but they are hindered by instability and violence in the countryside. % #
55,327 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore DRC Data
77% Adult population financially excluded
23,223 63% Female borrowers % #
73,796 Total FINCA clients
20,490 56% Borrowers in rural areas % #
36,589 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore Malawi Data
61% Adult population financially excluded More than half of the adult population in Nigeria is financially excluded.
2,439 51% Female borrowers % #
27,901 Total FINCA clients
4,804 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore Nigeria Data
79% Adult population financially excluded
26,270 56% Female borrowers % #
307,735 Total FINCA clients
35,456 75% Borrowers in rural areas % #
47,275 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore Tanzania Data
67% Adult population financially excluded
11,343 43% Female borrowers % #
98,338 Total FINCA clients
20,005 75% Borrowers in rural areas % #
26,673 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore Uganda Data
64% Adult population financially excluded The level of financial inclusion in Zambia is higher than in Africa overall, but is still low, at 31%.
4,921 57% Female borrowers % #
15,708 Total FINCA clients
0 0% Borrowers in rural areas FINCA aims to increase its rural outreach through mobile and agency banking. % #
8,691 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore Zambia Data

Among the FINCA regions, Africa has the second highest rate of financial exclusion. FINCA is working hard to close that gap using technology to reach severely under-banked people. Mobile and agency banking channels are helping us overcome the lack of infrastructure that isolates poor and rural communities. The goal is not only to reach people with a full range of services, including savings, credit and insurance.

Living Standards

Africa:
Quality of Life

88,439 51% Client homes without water % #
67,624 39% Client homes without electricity % #
116,308 67% Client homes without access to Internet % #
68,627 39% Clients who don’t own their home The rate of clients who don't own their own home is more than twice the global average (17%). % #
80,512 46% Head of household with primary education or less % #
25,450 46% Client homes without water The DRC, Africa’s most “water-rich” country, is facing an acute water supply crisis with considerable social and public health consequences. Nearly half (46%) of FINCA’s borrowers lack access to safe drinking water. % #
8,852 16% Client homes without electricity % #
26,557 48% Client homes without access to Internet % #
28,770 52% Clients who don’t own their home % #
6,000 11% Head of household with primary education or less Among FINCA borrowers, 89% live in a household headed by someone with greater than primary education. % #
Explore DRC Data
19,392 53% Client homes without water % #
19,392 53% Client homes without electricity More clients lack electricity in Malawi than anywhere else in the region. % #
24,515 67% Client homes without access to Internet High taxes and poor infrastructure, among other obstacles, make access to the Internet prohibitively costly, % #
11,343 31% Clients who don’t own their home % #
19,209 53% Head of household with primary education or less % #
Explore Malawi Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Nigeria.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

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Explore Nigeria Data
26,001 55% Client homes without water % #
23,638 50% Client homes without electricity % #
37,820 80% Client homes without access to Internet % #
17,303 37% Clients who don’t own their home % #
36,611 77% Head of household with primary education or less The educational levels in Tanzania are much lower than in the other African countries. % #
Explore Tanzania Data
13,337 50% Client homes without water In addition to the health risks from contaminated sources, the lack of running water imposes a physical burden on family members -- often children -- who are required to collect and transport it back to the house. % #
13,657 51% Client homes without electricity The electrical grid in Uganda is extremely limited and poorly maintained. % #
21,072 79% Client homes without access to Internet % #
7,735 29% Clients who don’t own their home This indicator is high throughout Africa. % #
14,937 56% Head of household with primary education or less Only Tanzania has a higher incidence of household heads who have a primary education or less. % #
Explore Uganda Data
4,259 49% Client homes without water % #
2,086 24% Client homes without electricity This is somewhat better than the rural conditions in neighboring countries, but not as good as DRC, whose clientele is primarily urban, like Zambia's. % #
6,344 73% Client homes without access to Internet % #
3,476 40% Clients who don’t own their home % #
3,755 43% Head of household with primary education or less % #
Explore Zambia Data

More households are struggling to meet basic needs in Africa than in the other regions where FINCA works. Nearly half of our clients live without clean water in their homes, and a third of them are without electricity. This places an enormous burden on families—especially children, who are tasked with fetching wood and water, and whose health and education are compromised by poor living conditions. Nearly 40 percent of borrowers are unable to purchase a home, which denies them a basic means to build their wealth and to secure credit. FINCA cannot overcome all these challenges on its own, but the simple provision of accessible credit and savings services can at least give these families tools to manage their resources and make investments that will improve their quality of life.

Income & Employment

Africa:
Income & Employment

$4,193 22% Average annual profit As a % of the total sales % #
2.4 Average # of employees per client enterprise
356,355 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia only.
98,307 28% Employees hired due to FINCA loan Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia only. % #
204,121 57% Wages paid above the poverty line Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia only. % #
$6,344 19% Average annual profit % #
2.2 Average # of employees per client enterprise
123,781 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises
31,389 25% Employees hired due to FINCA loan % #
53,226 43% Wages paid above the poverty line % #
Explore DRC Data
$2,727 27% Average annual profit FINCA clients in Malawi earn an average annual profit of $2,727, the second highest in the region. This represents 27% of their total sales. % #
2.9 Average # of employees per client enterprise Includes the owner. Our borrowers in Malawi generate more employment than any other FINCA subsidiary.
105,184 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises
22,152 21% Employees hired due to FINCA loan % #
65,214 62% Wages paid above the poverty line % #
Explore Malawi Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Nigeria.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

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Explore Nigeria Data
$3,174 18% Average annual profit 18% of the total sales % #
2.4 Average # of employees per client enterprise
113,736 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises
44,097 39% Employees hired due to FINCA loan % #
78,103 69% Wages paid above the poverty line % #
Explore Tanzania Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Uganda.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

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Explore Uganda Data
$2,208 36% Average annual profit 36% of total sales. % #
1.6 Average # of employees per client enterprise
13,654 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises
668 5% Employees hired due to FINCA loan % #
7,578 56% Wages paid above the poverty line The wages provided by FINCA clients in Zambia are lower than other subsidiaries in the region. % #
Explore Zambia Data

Explore FINCA Loan Sectors

Faced with high unemployment and low wages, most people in Africa rely on their own ingenuity to earn a living. Through small business and farming, FINCA borrowers in Africa generate about $4,100 per year in net income to sustain their families. They are also creating jobs for others. More than 350,000 people are employed by FINCA’s borrowers in Malawi, Tanzania, DRC and Zambia, at an average of 2.4 people per enterprise (including the owner). Most of the wages earned by these additional employees are above the national poverty line, creating a positive effect that extends into the community.

Women’s Empowerment

Africa:
Empowering Women

95,450 53% Female borrowers The majority of female borrowers are the primary income-earners in their families. % #
32,508 19% Clients with female-headed household % #
80,823 46% Households with female as main earner . % #
83,001 56% Businesses run by women Most of the businesses funded by FINCA in Africa are run by women, ranging from 54% in Tanzania to 61% in Zambia. % #
186,286 44% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
180,731 50% Jobs created by women Among FINCA clients, women entrepreneurs in Africa create jobs at a slightly higher rate than men. % #
27,254 49% Female borrowers % #
27,254 49% Female borrowers % #
7,688 14% Clients with female-headed household % #
23,703 43% Households with female as main earner % #
31,315 57% Businesses run by women % #
53,114 43% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
47,339 38% Jobs created by women % #
Explore DRC Data
23,223 63% Female borrowers % #
23,223 63% Female borrowers % #
7,646 21% Clients with female-headed household % #
19,115 52% Households with female as main earner % #
20,856 57% Businesses run by women % #
39,150 37% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
61,007 58% Jobs created by women 58% of total jobs created by FINCA Malawi borrowers were created by women. % #
Explore Malawi Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Nigeria.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

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2,439 51% Female borrowers % #
2,439 51% Female borrowers % #
Explore Nigeria Data
26,270 56% Female borrowers % #
26,270 56% Female borrowers % #
10,171 22% Clients with female-headed household % #
23,162 49% Households with female as main earner Women are often the main breadwinner -- even if they are not the head-of-household. % #
25,529 54% Businesses run by women Tanzania is one of the few countries where women's business ownership is equal to their share of the overall client base. This means that they are using FINCA loans to run their own independent businesses. % #
53,421 47% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
65,967 58% Jobs created by women Altogether, women are employing almost 79,235 workers in their FINCA-funded enterprises. % #
Explore Tanzania Data
11,343 43% Female borrowers % #
11,343 43% Female borrowers % #
5,183 19% Clients with female-headed household % #
10,885 41% Households with female as main earner % #
Explore Uganda Data
4,921 57% Female borrowers % #
4,921 57% Female borrowers % #
1,820 21% Clients with female-headed household % #
3,959 46% Households with female as main earner % #
5,302 61% Businesses run by women Almost two-thirds of the enterprises funded by FINCA in Zambia are headed by women (61%). % #
7,909 58% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
6,417 47% Jobs created by women % #
Explore Zambia Data

Women around the world are responsible borrowers and diligent savers who use their earnings to benefit their families. Women make up the majority of FINCA's borrowers in this region, and most of them are the main source of income in their family. Owning a business also enhances women's social status, particularly when they employ others.

Unfortunately, women are more likely to be left behind in the wave of financial technology, particularly where they are less educated and less familiar with the operation of smartphones. FINCA is bridging this divide by actively engaging women in the design and delivery of new services—including partnering with female shop owners, who can serve as community banking agents and utilize handheld devices to access FINCA bank accounts. These women are not only the beneficiaries of economic empowerment, they are its drivers, especially for other women.

Clients’ Goals

Goals Set By FINCA Borrowers
Goals Met By FINCA Borrowers
18,468 12% Start a business % #
80,269 54% Expand a business This is the most commonly-cited goal among our borrowers. % #
7,716 5% Invest in education % #
21,168 14% Improve their home Home improvement is the second highest goal for this region. % #
7,828 5% Buy an asset % #
8,813 6% Pay down debts % #
9,572 17% Start a business % #
28,715 52% Expand a business % #
4,316 8% Invest in education % #
3,486 6% Improve their home % #
3,098 6% Buy an asset % #
2,822 5% Pay down debts % #
Explore DRC Data
3,839 10% Start a business % #
15,138 41% Expand a business % #
2,038 6% Invest in education % #
11,754 32% Improve their home % #
3,364 9% Buy an asset % #
439 1% Pay down debts % #
Explore Malawi Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Nigeria.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

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Explore Nigeria Data
4,586 10% Start a business % #
31,958 68% Expand a business % #
946 2% Invest in education % #
3,546 8% Improve their home % #
520 1% Buy an asset % #
5,437 12% Pay down debts Tanzania is the only country where paying down debts outranks home improvement. % #
Explore Tanzania Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Uganda.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

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Explore Uganda Data
472 5% Start a business % #
4,458 51% Expand a business % #
417 5% Invest in education % #
2,383 27% Improve their home % #
845 10% Buy an asset % #
115 1% Pay down debts % #
Explore Zambia Data
16,353 90% Start a business % #
70,794 88% Expand a business % #
6,906 90% Invest in education % #
19,182 85% Improve their home % #
43,379 85% Buy an asset % #
8,186 94% Pay down debts % #
16,353 90% Start a business % #
70,794 88% Expand a business % #
6,906 90% Invest in education % #
19,182 85% Improve their home % #
43,379 85% Buy an asset % #
8,186 94% Pay down debts % #
Explore Africa Data
16,353 90% Start a business % #
70,794 88% Expand a business % #
6,906 90% Invest in education % #
19,182 85% Improve their home % #
43,379 85% Buy an asset % #
8,186 94% Pay down debts % #
Explore Africa Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Nigeria.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE
16,353 90% Start a business % #
70,794 88% Expand a business % #
6,906 90% Invest in education % #
19,182 85% Improve their home % #
43,379 85% Buy an asset % #
8,186 94% Pay down debts % #
Explore Africa Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Uganda.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE
16,353 90% Start a business % #
70,794 88% Expand a business % #
6,906 90% Invest in education % #
19,182 85% Improve their home % #
43,379 85% Buy an asset % #
8,186 94% Pay down debts % #
Explore Africa Data

Over half of our borrowers in Africa use their loans to grow an existing business, while a smaller percentage are launching new ventures. Beyond business, the next highest priority is to improve their housing. FINCA helps put these aspirations within reach; the vast majority of clients say that our loans helped them (or are helping them) achieve these goals.

Special Topics

FINCA Loan Sectors

134,659 75% Trade % #
26,524 15% Services % #
7,044 4% Manufacturing % #
8,030 4% Crops % #
2,994 2% Livestock % #
47,083 85% Trade % #
6,197 11% Services % #
1,051 2% Manufacturing % #
498 1% Crops % #
443 1% Livestock % #
Explore DRC Data
26,271 72% Trade % #
4,870 13% Services % #
1,818 5% Manufacturing % #
3,597 10% Crops % #
0 0% Livestock % #
Explore Malawi Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Nigeria.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

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Explore Nigeria Data
31,154 66% Trade % #
9,786 21% Services % #
2,269 5% Manufacturing % #
2,222 5% Crops % #
1,844 4% Livestock % #
Explore Tanzania Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Uganda.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

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Explore Uganda Data
6,518 75% Trade % #
1,017 12% Services % #
669 8% Manufacturing % #
304 4% Crops % #
183 2% Livestock % #
Explore Zambia Data

Profit and Profit/Sales Ratio by Sector

$4,432 20% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
3,582 25% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$4,981 28% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,853 18% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,867 24% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$4,432 20% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
3,582 25% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$4,981 28% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,853 18% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,867 24% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
Explore Africa Data
$4,432 20% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
3,582 25% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$4,981 28% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,853 18% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,867 24% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
Explore Africa Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Nigeria.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE
$4,432 20% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
3,582 25% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$4,981 28% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,853 18% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,867 24% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
Explore Africa Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Uganda.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE
$4,432 20% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
3,582 25% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$4,981 28% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,853 18% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,867 24% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
Explore Africa Data

Jobs by Sector Due to FINCA Loan

70,439 72% Trade % #
18217 19% Services % #
3,178 3% Manufacturing % #
4,526 5% Crops % #
1,946 2% Livestock % #
70,439 72% Trade % #
18217 19% Services % #
3,178 3% Manufacturing % #
4,526 5% Crops % #
1,946 2% Livestock % #
Explore Africa Data
70,439 72% Trade % #
18217 19% Services % #
3,178 3% Manufacturing % #
4,526 5% Crops % #
1,946 2% Livestock % #
Explore Africa Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Nigeria.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE
70,439 72% Trade % #
18217 19% Services % #
3,178 3% Manufacturing % #
4,526 5% Crops % #
1,946 2% Livestock % #
Explore Africa Data

No data has been collected yet for this indicator in Uganda.

The support of FINCA donors is vital to our efforts to understand our clients and better serve them. Please Donate to support this important work.

DONATE
70,439 72% Trade % #
18217 19% Services % #
3,178 3% Manufacturing % #
4,526 5% Crops % #
1,946 2% Livestock % #
Explore Africa Data

Africa Stories

betty nakintu

A School of Her Dreams

Thanks to the help of FINCA's microfinance loans, Betty Nakintu could create the school of her dreams in Kampala, Uganda.
Read Betty's Story

A Journey With a Few Dollars

With a small loan from FINCA, Agnes Chitsotso turned her tiny business into a thriving one that now supports her children and...
Read Agnes's Story

Brightening Their Future

With BrightLife's solar lamps and clean cookstoves, Walakira Grace is saving time and money and improving her family's well-being.
Read Walakira's Story

© 2016 FINCA International

Contact Our Research Team

Visit FINCA.org

Contact Our Research Team

© 2017 FINCA International

Visit FINCA.org