This resource details CARE Sierra Leone’s initiative to digitize Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) through a partnership with MiKashBoks. The project addressed challenges such as poor record-keeping, limited financial access, and low digital literacy—especially among women in rural areas.
Key features of the initiative include:
- Human-centered design: VSLA members shaped app features to meet their needs, improving security and usability.
- Digital literacy training: CARE provided smartphones and tailored training to support adoption across varying literacy levels.
- Financial empowerment: Women gained autonomy over savings and loans, improved record-keeping, and access to formal financial services.
- Inclusive impact: The app supported diverse user personas—from rural women to urban entrepreneurs—enhancing safety, transparency, and business growth.
- Scalable model: With 81 groups piloted and plans to expand to 200, the initiative offers a replicable model for digital programming in similar contexts.
The brief also includes case studies and recommendations for scaling digital financial inclusion in other regions, emphasizing community engagement, education, and inclusive design.
