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 over 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
94,493 53% Female borrowers The majority of female borrowers are the primary income-earners in their families. % #
803,729 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 46% Borrowers in rural areas Rural outreach is particularly striking in Tanzania and Uganda, where it reaches as high as 75%. % #
179,249 Total FINCA borrowers
85% Adult population financially excluded The rate of financial exclusion is higher than the regional average (70%).
25,103 50% Female borrowers % #
347,379 Total FINCA clients FINCA DRC has more than 8 times as many savers as borrowers.
999 2% Borrowers in rural areas Efforts are underway to reach more rural areas, but they are hindered by instability and violence in the countryside. % #
49,932 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore DRC Data
77% Adult population financially excluded
23,089 64% Female borrowers % #
65,723 Total FINCA clients
20,283 56% Borrowers in rural areas % #
36,219 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore Malawi Data
61% Adult population financially excluded More than half of the adult population in Nigeria is financially excluded.
2,168 50% Female borrowers % #
26,825 Total FINCA clients
4,308 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore Nigeria Data
79% Adult population financially excluded
25,735 54% Female borrowers % #
245,232 Total FINCA clients
35,484 75% Borrowers in rural areas % #
47,312 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore Tanzania Data
67% Adult population financially excluded
13,081 40% Female borrowers % #
101,545 Total FINCA clients
24,277 75% Borrowers in rural areas % #
32,369 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%.
5,317 58% Female borrowers % #
17,025 Total FINCA clients
0 0% Borrowers in rural areas FINCA aims to increase its rural outreach through mobile and agency banking. % #
9,109 Total FINCA borrowers
Explore Zambia Data

Among the FINCA regions, Africa has the second highest rate of financial exclusion in the world. FINCA is intent on reaching severely under-banked populations by leveraging the power of technology. Mobile and agency banking channels will help us overcome the lack of infrastructure that isolates poor and rural communities. The goal is not only to reach people, however, but also to provide a full range of services, including savings, credit and insurance, so that clients can access financial resources when and where they are needed.

Living Standards

Africa:
Quality of Life

88,834 51% Client homes without water % #
69,600 40% Client homes without electricity % #
118,305 68% Client homes without access to Internet % #
67,539 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%). % #
83,132 48% Head of household with primary education or less % #
22,969 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. % #
7,989 16% Client homes without electricity % #
23,967 48% Client homes without access to Internet % #
25,965 52% Clients who don’t own their home % #
5,415 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
19,196 53% Client homes without water % #
19,196 53% Client homes without electricity More clients lack electricity in Malawi than anywhere else in the region. % #
24,267 67% Client homes without access to Internet High taxes and poor infrastructure, among other obstacles, make access to the Internet prohibitively costly, % #
11,228 31% Clients who don’t own their home % #
19,015 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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26,022 55% Client homes without water % #
23,656 50% Client homes without electricity % #
37,850 80% Client homes without access to Internet % #
17,316 37% Clients who don’t own their home % #
36,640 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
16,185 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. % #
16,573 51% Client homes without electricity The electrical grid in Uganda is extremely limited and poorly maintained. % #
25,572 79% Client homes without access to Internet % #
9,387 29% Clients who don’t own their home This indicator is high throughout Africa. % #
18,127 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
4,463 49% Client homes without water % #
2,186 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. % #
6,650 73% Client homes without access to Internet % #
3,644 40% Clients who don’t own their home % #
3,935 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

$2,904 23% Average annual profit As a % of the total sales % #
2.5 Average # of employees per client enterprise
232,256 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia only.
66,760 29% Employees hired due to FINCA loan Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia only. % #
150,661 65% Wages paid above the poverty line Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia only. % #

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

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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$2,727 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.
104,120 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises
21,928 21% Employees hired due to FINCA loan % #
64,555 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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$3,174 18% Average annual profit 18% of the total sales % #
2.4 Average # of employees per client enterprise
113,825 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises
44,132 39% Employees hired due to FINCA loan % #
78,164 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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$2,208 36% Average annual profit 36% of total sales. % #
1.6 Average # of employees per client enterprise
14,310 People employed in FINCA-funded enterprises
700 5% Employees hired due to FINCA loan % #
7,942 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 $2,900 per year in net income to sustain their families. They are also creating jobs for others. More than 230,000 people are employed by FINCA’s borrowers in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia, at an average of 2.5 people per enterprise (including the owner). Encouragingly, 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

94,493 53% Female borrowers The majority of female borrowers are the primary income-earners in their families. % #
32,980 19% Clients with female-headed household % #
81,151 46% Households with female as main earner . % #
51,750 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. % #
194,469 44% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
133,134 57% Jobs created by women Among FINCA clients, women entrepreneurs in Africa create jobs at a slightly higher rate than men. % #
25,103 50% Female borrowers % #
25,103 50% Female borrowers % #
7,088 14% Clients with female-headed household % #
21,855 44% Households with female as main earner % #
Explore DRC Data
23,089 64% Female borrowers % #
23,089 64% Female borrowers % #
7,490 21% Clients with female-headed household % #
18,725 52% Households with female as main earner % #
20,645 57% Businesses run by women % #
38,754 37% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
60,390 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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25,735 54% Female borrowers % #
25,735 54% Female borrowers % #
10,004 21% Clients with female-headed household % #
22,782 48% Households with female as main earner Women are often the main breadwinner -- even if they are not the head-of-household. % #
25,548 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. % #
53,463 47% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
66,019 58% Jobs created by women Altogether, women are employing almost 79,235 workers in their FINCA-funded enterprises. % #
Explore Tanzania Data
13,081 40% Female borrowers % #
13,081 40% Female borrowers % #
6,333 20% Clients with female-headed household % #
13,300 41% Households with female as main earner % #
Explore Uganda Data
5,317 58% Female borrowers % #
5,317 58% Female borrowers % #
2,064 23% Clients with female-headed household % #
4,490 49% Households with female as main earner % #
5,556 61% Businesses run by women Almost two-thirds of the enterprises funded by FINCA in Zambia are headed by women (61%). % #
8,289 58% Women employed by enterprises Avg. #
6,726 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
8,884 10% Start a business % #
51,641 56% Expand a business This is the most commonly-cited goal among our borrowers. % #
3,401 4% Invest in education % #
17,681 19% Improve their home Home improvement is the second highest goal for this region. % #
4,737 5% Buy an asset % #
5,996 6% Pay down debts % #

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

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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3,800 10% Start a business % #
14,985 41% Expand a business % #
2,018 6% Invest in education % #
11,636 32% Improve their home % #
3,330 9% Buy an asset % #
435 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.

DONATE
4,589 10% Start a business % #
31,983 68% Expand a business % #
946 2% Invest in education % #
3,548 8% Improve their home % #
520 1% Buy an asset % #
5,441 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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495 5% Start a business % #
4,672 51% Expand a business % #
437 5% Invest in education % #
2,497 27% Improve their home % #
886 10% Buy an asset % #
121 1% Pay down debts % #
Explore Zambia Data
8,424 95% Start a business % #
48,772 94% Expand a business % #
3,290 94% Invest in education % #
16,655 93% Improve their home % #
4,656 94% Buy an asset % #
5,703 97% Pay down debts % #

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

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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3,800 100% Start a business % #
14,339 96% Expand a business % #
2,018 100% Invest in education % #
10,970 94% Improve their home % #
3,330 100% Buy an asset % #
435 100% 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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4,135 90% Start a business % #
30,480 95% Expand a business About 95% of borrowers expect that FINCA’s loans will enable them expand their businesses. % #
835 88% Invest in education Those who have non-business goals, such as education or to acquire assets, express slightly less certainty that they will be able to accomplish this aspiration. % #
3,211 91% Improve their home % #
463 89% Buy an asset % #
5,147 95% Pay down debts % #
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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489 99% Start a business Almost all borrowers expect that FINCA’s loan will enable them to achieve these goals. % #
3,953 85% Expand a business % #
437 100% Invest in education % #
2,474 99% Improve their home % #
863 97% Buy an asset % #
121 100% Pay down debts % #
Explore Zambia 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

123,864 69% Trade % #
30,339 17% Services % #
9,234 5% Manufacturing % #
11,808 7% Crops % #
3,940 2% Livestock % #

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

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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26,005 72% Trade % #
4,821 13% Services % #
1,800 5% Manufacturing % #
3,560 10% Crops % #
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.

DONATE
31,179 66% Trade % #
9,794 21% Services % #
2,271 5% Manufacturing % #
2,224 5% Crops % #
1,845 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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6,832 75% Trade % #
1,066 12% Services % #
701 8% Manufacturing % #
319 4% Crops % #
191 2% Livestock % #
Explore Zambia Data

Profit and Profit/Sales Ratio by Sector

$3,205 21% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
2,503 30% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$2,093 35% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,990 20% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,110 14% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit

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

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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$2,966 25% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
2,547 34% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,580 36% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,832 21% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
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.

DONATE
$3,560 15% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
2,571 25% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$2,505 33% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$2,175 14% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,864 18% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
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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$2,309 35% Trade Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
1,976 38% Services Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,996 35% Manufacturing Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,658 46% Crops Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
$1,610 46% Livestock Profit/sales ratio Avg. profit
Explore Zambia Data

Jobs by Sector Due to FINCA Loan

42,090 63% Trade % #
15961 24% Services % #
2,674 4% Manufacturing % #
4,210 6% Crops % #
1,825 3% Livestock % #

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

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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13,900 63% Trade % #
5,160 24% Services % #
843 4% Manufacturing % #
2,026 9% Crops % #
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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27,724 63% Trade % #
10699 24% Services % #
1,732 4% Manufacturing % #
2,156 5% Crops % #
1,820 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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467 67% Trade % #
102 15% Services % #
100 14% Manufacturing % #
27 4% Crops % #
5 1% Livestock % #
Explore Zambia 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