A microfinance model built by persons with disabilities in rural sub-Saharan Africa

Solution
Save and Invest for Your Bright Future
Organization
National Union of Disability Organisations in Rwanda (NUDOR)
Country of Implementation
Rwanda
Region
Africa
Subregion
Subsaharan Africa
Start Year
2022
First published
03.12.2024

NUDOR's Save and Invest in Rwanda established 750 Savings Groups by 2024, with 22,500 members with disabilities starting microenterprises. The program plans to expand across provinces.

A group of African individuals, seated in a circle outdoors, appears engaged in a communal activity. Their attire reflects vibrant, traditional patterns. This image embodies community spirit, emphasizing cultural unity, learning, and knowledge-sharing among diverse age groups.
“Pankh – Wings of Destiny” is a 45-day training and employability programme.

Solution details

People

Emile Cadet VUNINGABO Website
“Save today for a brighter tomorrow: Building inclusive communities.” Emile Cadet Vuningabo, Head of Programmes, NUDOR

The National Union of Disability Organizations in Rwanda (NUDOR), in partnership with German-based CBM, created the Save and Invest for Your Bright Future programme to support persons with disabilities in rural Rwanda. By mid-2024, 750 Savings and Loan Groups had been formed in villages, with some 22,500 members – 90 per cent of whom are disabled. Members receive financial and skill-development support to start microenterprises; and the programme aims to expand to other Rwandan provinces in the coming years.

Problems Targeted

Persons with disabilities in rural Rwanda face significant barriers to accessing formal financial services and economic opportunities.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

Village Savings and Loan Groups (VSLGs) unite persons with and without disabilities to save collectively and allow them to take small loans from the pooled funds, thus fostering financial inclusion. Each self-managed group consists of 15 to 30 members who contribute savings regularly, elect their own leaders, and establish group-specific rules. Members receive training in financial literacy, savings, and loan management. The communal fund supports member loans at interest rates between 5 to 10 per cent, with borrowing limits up to three times an individual’s shareholding. These loans are used for such purposes as starting small businesses, covering school fees, or managing emergency expenses, allowing VSLG members access to credit outside traditional banking. Interest earned returns as annual dividends, helping members grow their resources. Members are responsible for contributing to the pool, attending meetings, and repaying loans punctually. At the end of each savings cycle, the accumulated savings and loan profits are distributed, fostering ownership and accountability. Additionally, some VSLGs maintain a social fund, providing financial aid during crises, such as an illness or bereavement, which strengthens communal bonds while promoting financial education, skills development, and long-term self-sufficiency.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

The project is funded by various sources, including grants and donations from international development organizations such as CBM. NUDOR plans to expand the model to other provinces in Rwanda, leveraging the success and lessons learned from the initial implementation. The approach is designed to be culturally appropriate and sustainable, with the potential for replication in other regions and countries. (Zero Project Awardee 2025)

Media

Pictures

A group of African individuals, seated in a circle outdoors, appears engaged in a communal activity. Their attire reflects vibrant, traditional patterns. This image embodies community spirit, emphasizing cultural unity, learning, and knowledge-sharing among diverse age groups. “Pankh – Wings of Destiny” is a 45-day training and employability programme.
A group of African individuals, seated in a circle outdoors, appears engaged in a communal activity. Their attire reflects vibrant, traditional patterns. This image embodies community spirit, emphasizing cultural unity, learning, and knowledge-sharing among diverse age groups. “Pankh – Wings of Destiny” is a 45-day training and employability programme.

Related information

Solutions with the same:

Country of Implementation

Rwanda

Region of Implementation

Africa