Bhasikiti Ratizirai: How NGO Policies and Donor Demands Impact Savings Groups
23 November 2024
At Inclusive Digital Solutions, our mission to drive financial inclusion and empowerment continues to grow, both in scope and significance, as we extend our reach across the African continent. Our vision is bold and ambitious: enrolling 2.5 million subscribers in Zimbabwe into My Savings Companion by December 2026. This goal is more than a number—it’s a clear reflection of our unwavering commitment to bringing financial empowerment to every corner of the country and beyond. As we set similarly ambitious targets for each new market we enter, we remain steadfast in our belief that no one should be left behind in the financial revolution sweeping across the globe.
At the heart of our work lies a simple yet powerful principle: financial inclusion is not a privilege reserved for a select few—it is a fundamental human right. Every person, regardless of where they live or what their economic circumstances are, deserves access to the tools and resources needed to fully participate in the global economy. Whether you’re a smallholder farmer in a rural village or an entrepreneur in a bustling city, financial inclusion means having the power to improve your livelihood, support your family, and contribute to your community. This is the future we envision at Inclusive Digital Solutions, and it’s one that drives every aspect of our work.
Our digital platforms are designed to address the real-world challenges that marginalized populations and their ecosystems face, from lack of access to financial services to the difficulties of managing savings within informal groups. For savings groups, My Savings Companion offers a transformative solution. With our intuitive financial management tools, groups can overcome issues related to transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability. By providing a digital record of each group’s activities, we help create a strong financial history that can be trusted and relied upon by all members. This, in turn, opens the door to further opportunities for growth, access to credit, and other financial services that may have once seemed out of reach.
For financial institutions, My Savings Companion is the bridge that connects them to the informal economy—an often untapped market with immense potential. We provide detailed credit histories and digital footprints for savings groups, enabling banks and other lenders to make informed decisions and minimize risk. By offering these institutions real-time access to reliable data, we help them confidently extend their services to savings groups that would otherwise be excluded from formal financial systems. This data-driven approach not only strengthens the financial ecosystem but also builds trust between informal savings groups and formal financial players.
Our platform goes beyond simply serving individuals and financial institutions. For NGOs and development partners, we offer a powerful tool for impact measurement and resource allocation. Through customized analytics and reporting features, our platform delivers valuable insights that help organizations monitor the effectiveness of their programs and interventions. This means they can make more informed decisions about how and where to allocate resources, ultimately maximizing the impact of their work on the ground.
Governments and policymakers are also key partners in our mission. My Savings Companion contributes to national financial literacy campaigns and economic inclusion strategies, aligning with broader development goals such as reducing poverty, increasing access to credit, and promoting entrepreneurship. We recognize that the informal sector plays a crucial role in the economies of many African nations, and we’re committed to supporting governments in their efforts to integrate these sectors into the formal financial system. This, in turn, boosts economic resilience, fosters inclusive growth, and creates new opportunities for millions of people.
But we know that our mission to transform financial access cannot be achieved alone. It requires collaboration, partnership, and a shared commitment to driving change. That’s why we invite like-minded organizations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals to partner with us. Together, we can build a more inclusive financial ecosystem—one that breaks down the barriers that prevent millions of people from participating in the economy. Whether you’re a policymaker, a financial institution, an NGO, or an individual looking to make an impact, there’s a role for you in this movement.
Our vision for My Savings Companion is to integrate it with existing financial systems and frameworks, creating a seamless link between the informal and formal sectors. By doing this, we address long-standing systemic challenges that have historically limited financial access for many people, especially in rural areas. Our platform simplifies financial management for savings groups, providing real-time data, transparency, and a secure pathway to financial growth. This not only empowers the users of the platform but also strengthens the broader financial ecosystem by creating new opportunities for partnership and collaboration.
The significance of this work goes beyond the immediate benefits of financial inclusion. By enabling marginalized populations to access the financial services they need, we are also laying the groundwork for broader social and economic development. Access to credit, savings, and other financial tools allows individuals to invest in their businesses, support their families, and contribute to their communities in ways that were previously not possible. In this way, financial inclusion becomes a catalyst for broader, sustainable development, with ripple effects that extend far beyond the individual or group level.
This is why we believe that partnerships are essential to the success of My Savings Companion. We are constantly seeking opportunities to collaborate with stakeholders who share our vision of creating a more inclusive and equitable financial system. Whether it’s financial institutions looking to expand their customer base, NGOs seeking to enhance their impact, or governments working to drive national development, we see enormous potential for partnership and collaboration. By working together, we can create a future where financial exclusion is a thing of the past.
We invite you to be part of this transformative journey. By subscribing to our blog, you’ll join a community of innovators, changemakers, and thought leaders who are all committed to driving financial inclusion and empowerment. As a subscriber, you’ll be the first to hear inspiring stories of change, stay updated on our progress, and discover new opportunities for collaboration. You’ll also gain access to exclusive content, including case studies, success stories, and deep insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the world of financial inclusion.
Let’s walk this path together. Join us in our mission to create a world where everyone, regardless of their background or economic circumstances, has the tools and resources they need to participate in the global economy. Whether you’re a savings group looking for better financial management tools, a financial institution exploring new markets, or an individual committed to making a difference, there’s a place for you in this journey.
Together, we can build a brighter, more inclusive future—one where comprehensive economic participation is not just a vision but a reality. Let’s start today, transforming lives, one subscriber, one partner, and one community at a time.