Brief
Financial Inclusion Technology Solutions

Expanding Growth Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs: Using VSLAs to Unlock Formal Credit

Published by
Eric Kaduru, Tyler Tappendorf
2026
CARE
View Resource

CARE’s Credit Sprint initiative demonstrates how digitizing VSLA records and using inclusive credit scoring can unlock access to formal loans for women entrepreneurs. Through women-centered design and partnerships with fintechs, financial institutions, and mobile network operators, the model creates tailored digital loan products accessible via basic phones.

By building credit profiles from VSLA activity, the initiative helps bridge the gap between informal savings groups and formal financial services—enabling women to access larger loans, grow businesses, and strengthen financial inclusion at scale.

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