Philippe Guichandut recently went on a mission to Uganda to evaluate the financial inclusion program for refugees implemented in partnership with UGAFODE.

A financial inclusion program for refugees:

With the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (AIDS)* and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)*, the Foundation launched a program to promote access to financial and non-financial services for refugees and host communities in Uganda. The program provided debt financing and technical assistance to selected financial service providers, which will enable them to expand their lending operations and access to entrepreneurship training and basic financial literacy to more than 100,000 refugees and host communities, including 75% of women.

This program ended in October 2023.

UGAFODE a key partner:

Since its creation in 1994, UGAFODE mobilizes resources to provide affordable primary financial services to its clients. UGAFODE's mission is to transform the lives of Ugandans, economically and socially. The institution played a crucial role in the program's success, demonstrating proven expertise in providing financial services to refugees.

Learn more about the program Financial Inclusion of Refugees.

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To find out more

*The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is an agency working on behalf of the Swedish parliament and government with the mission of reducing global poverty. Through its activities and in cooperation with other stakeholders, it contributes to the implementation of Swedish international development policy. The agency is present in 46 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
www.sida.se / @Sida

*The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated by the United Nations to coordinate international action for the protection of refugees. The organization provides essential assistance, helps guarantee fundamental rights, and develops solutions aimed at the well-being of its target populations. UNHCR works in 135 countries on behalf of 108.4 million people.
http://www.unhcr.org/ @Refugees

During the African Microfinance Week in Lomé, Togo, organized by ADA In October 2323, a workshop was organized on Monday, October 16 at the initiative of the Foundation and in collaboration with the HAND and the CIF, to bring together and exchange with our partners and stakeholders from West and Central Africa on the socio-political situation in the area.

The document below brings together their shared experiences during the workshop and demonstrates their dynamism in addressing the situation and finding solutions. The Foundation will continue to be attentive and support its partners on this issue by collaborating with interested stakeholders.

In the strategic plan " Ambitions 2025", the inclusion of women is a strategic priority. The Foundation reaffirms its social mission, that of contributing to the fight against poverty and inequality through financial inclusion, particularly for women and in rural areas in some of the most fragile countries. Most often excluded from the banking system, women in rural areas nevertheless represent an economic force for the entire local economy and stakeholders in their community.

This focus on women came to fruition in March 2024, with the Foundation's qualification as a 2x Challenge, which officially commits, on the basis of 3 criteria, to the economic empowerment of women, a central mission at the heart of its action:

Governance : The GCA Foundation's steering committee is composed of 40% women (2/5) and the board of directors is composed of 33% women (4/12).

Job : The Foundation has 55% women among its 20 direct employees. They also have policies and procedures aimed at promoting gender equality, including a childcare contribution policy and a transparent, accessible salary scale that is shared with all employees.

Wallet: 71% of the Foundation's investments meet at least 1 of the 2X Challenge criteria.

This international initiative aims to promote gender equality, female entrepreneurship and support the reduction of inequalities through financial inclusion.

The 2X Challenge, launched in 2018, brought together several international financial institutions, which strengthened their commitment to investing in gender equality to promote women's access to quality jobs and financing opportunities.

Continuation of the Foundation's funding in Sub-Saharan Africa 1st semester 2024 with the agreement of an initial loan for an amount in local currency equivalent to 1.5 million Euros to the microfinance institution UNACREP "National Union of Rural Savings and Loan Banks at Benign, over a period of three years. The Foundation currently has four other partners in Benin.

UNACREP is a microfinance institution, created in 1992 by the NGO Sasakawa / Global 2000, whose mission is to be the main financial partner of agricultural entrepreneurs in Benin. Among the 21 063 customers, more than 50 % of the loan portfolio is dedicated to agricultural entrepreneurs, active in all functions of the value chain. 40 % customers are women, mainly active in the processing and sale of agricultural products. UNACREP It also provides productive loans to micro-entrepreneurs active in the trade sector and consumer loans to civil servants. Clients borrow individually (over 60%) or organized into groups and cooperatives.

With this new loan, the Foundation strengthens its presence in Sub-Saharan Africa, which represents 30,% of the total outstanding amount monitored by the Foundation at the end of March 2024.

To learn more about our partners, Click here.