Microfinance Loans to Give the Poor a Working Chance - Opportunity Blog

Gates and Mastercard Foundations Partner with Opportunity International

Some of Opportunity’s loan and savings clients get access to this mobile bank and banking assistance in their rural village.

Some of Opportunity’s loan and savings clients get access to this mobile bank and banking assistance in their rural village.

 

In an effort to reach people living in poverty in rural areas, Opportunity International has researched and implemented new products and platforms such as mobile banking, savings services, agricultural finance, cell phone banking, education finance and much more.

Because they believe in Opportunity International’s innovative model, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The MasterCard Foundation are partnering with Opportunity in sub-Saharan Africa, where less than 10 percent have access to financial services. The joint $16 million project announced today will  provide access to savings accounts to over 1.4 million people living in poverty, including 950,000 in rural areas.  In addition, the program will benefit more than 90,000 smallholder farmers by providing agricultural credit, helping to increase crop success, developing strategic partnerships with extension service providers, and equipping farmers with training and market linkages.

“Opportunity International is grateful to the MasterCard Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for their support which will help agriculturally-based communities transition to thriving and diversified economies,” remarked Kadita “A.T.” Tshibaka, CEO, Opportunity International.

Click here to  learn more about this project or how to get involved with Opportunity’s work in Africa.

 

Comments

  • ktp

    Awesome that three great organizations have partnered and will bring all of their talents together for the good of the working poor and the world.