Study on Oxus Tajikistan women clients

 

 

Listen to 261 women in Tajikistan

As a partner of OXUS Tajikistan, we participated in an impact study conducted by the firm leonardo.impact. Between November and December 2025, we interviewed 261 clients to measure the true impact of microfinance services on their lives.

Promising results, but opportunities to be seized

• 90 % report an improvement in their income thanks to OTJ's services
• 89 % find loan repayment easy, well above the Asian benchmark of 78 %
• 94 % report increased confidence in independent financial decision-making
• 79 % could face a significant unexpected expense, nearly three times the global benchmark of 28 % for women

Beyond credit: identifying gaps

However, the study also reveals significant opportunities to strengthen long-term empowerment. Although 91 % of the clients are satisfied with the size of their loans, structural challenges persist:

• The lack of savings : 89 % customers do not have a savings account, although 82 % express an interest in opening one, citing trust in OXUS as a key factor.
• Gaps in financial education Although 87% of clients report not needing additional training, only 11.1% have ever received financial education. The most vulnerable clients, particularly those with incomplete secondary education, face greater difficulties.
• Shared decision-making Although women are heavily involved in household lending decisions, some are solely responsible for repayment, creating an asymmetry that can increase financial stress.

Towards an integrated and inclusive offer

For OXUS Tajikistan, this study paves the way for a strategic transformation:

• Expanding access to savings and complementary services :
• Integrating financial education: Incorporate practical training modules into loan cycles, with an emphasis on budgeting, goal setting and cash flow management.
• Strengthening the gender-sensitive approach Increasing the recruitment of female credit officers (72% of clients prefer to discuss finances with officers of the same sex) and integrating financial advice at the household level could alleviate psychological and financial pressures.
• Review the loan terms Reviewing interest rates, rigid repayment terms, and penalty policies could significantly improve customer satisfaction and experience.

This study demonstrates that OXUS Tajikistan is already generating positive and significant results for its clients. High levels of trust, satisfaction with loan amounts, and ease of repayment confirm that the core credit products are well aligned with customer needs.

 

➡️ More information here: Leonardo Oxus Report Tajikistan