Financial Inclusion

The Building Pathways conference brought together key stakeholders to address a critical challenge in financial inclusion and poverty reduction: bringing capital and other financial services like insurance to financially excluded populations through village-level savings and loans groups (Savings Groups, SGs). These groups, in which women mobilize their own resources, have provided a vital source of investment and cash flow to people excluded from the formal financial system, especially rural women in Africa.

Discover how Village Savings & Loan Associations (VSLAs) are transforming lives in 67 countries. CARE's 2025 Annual Report highlights record growth, women’s leadership, digital innovation, and the expanding influence of savings groups on economies and communities.

This brief presents findings from an ex-post evaluation of the Expanding Financial Inclusion in Africa (EFI) program, implemented by Catholic Relief Services. The study assesses the long-term sustainability of the Private Service Provider (PSP) model for Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) in Uganda, highlighting continued group formation, increased savings, and challenges in network support and remuneration.

This learning brief explores how Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) in Northeastern Nigeria help members manage financial shocks and strengthen resilience. Through participatory research and co-design, the study highlights the role of SILC in supporting income stability, social networks, and motivation, while identifying opportunities for further innovation and adaptation.

This brief highlights CARE Bangladesh’s Sanchay Sathi mobile app, developed to digitize Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in flood-prone char and haor regions. Designed with local language support and offline functionality, the app improves financial record-keeping, security, and access to mobile financial services. With over 2,000 groups supported, the initiative builds digital literacy and confidence among women and low-literacy users.

This brief outlines CARE Sierra Leone’s collaboration with MiKashBoks to digitize Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). Through tailored app development, digital literacy training, and mobile money integration, the initiative improved financial management, safety, and autonomy for women. The pilot reached 81 groups, with plans to expand to 200, offering insights into inclusive digital transformation in low-connectivity contexts.

This study evaluates pricing strategies in CRS’s Private Service Provider (PSP) model across four African countries. It compares flat vs. proportional fees and standard vs. pro-poor training, offering insights into affordability, sustainability, and poverty outreach.

This study evaluates pricing strategies in CRS’s Private Service Provider (PSP) model across four African countries. It compares flat vs. proportional fees and standard vs. pro-poor training, offering insights into affordability, sustainability, and poverty outreach.