Economic Empowerment
Communities saving and growing together.
UGEAFI's Village Savings and Loan Associations give households a pathway to financial independence.
UGEAFI promotes economic empowerment through community-based financial inclusion, supporting Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) as a sustainable way to raise household income and strengthen resilience in conflict-affected areas of the DRC.
In 2025, UGEAFI supported 13,266 households through VSLA programs across Minembwe, Bibokoboko, Lusenda, Mulongwe, Idjwi and the Rusayo IDP camp. Members receive training in financial literacy, business management, savings and credit before launching activities, and start-up kits worth around USD 100 to establish or expand livelihoods.
Each group operates through regular savings, internal lending and elected committees, with continuous mentoring from trained community facilitators. Beyond incomes, this builds trust and cooperation among refugees, displaced people and host communities — in several areas encouraging host families to voluntarily share farmland with displaced households.
What we do
- 01Establish and support VSLA savings groups.
- 02Provide financial literacy training.
- 03Link groups to microfinance institutions.
- 04Prioritise women and youth membership.
Support this work
Partner with UGEAFI to bring lasting change to communities in DRC and South Sudan.
