Equity Mama loans have been instrumental in empowering women like Sylvia Akankwasa, Rebecca Katisi, and Yahala Khasifa to achieve financial independence and grow their businesses. These women have benefited from the Enterprise Development and Financial Inclusion program, with support from Equity Bank.
Sylvia Akankwasa’s stationery shop in Arua faced challenges during the pandemic, but Equity Bank’s loan under the Equity Mama facility helped her expand her business into a multimedia printing operation. She now employs seven workers and is venturing into a fruit juice and wine factory. The bank’s support was crucial in preventing her business from collapsing.
Yahala Khasifa and Rebecca Katisi also experienced significant growth in their businesses with the help of Equity Bank. Yahala expanded her business into timber trading and land investments, while Rebecca was able to accumulate savings, purchase land, and invest in rental properties with the support of back-to-back loans under the Equity Mama facility.
Equity Bank’s Enterprise Development and Financial Inclusion program focuses on supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to access financial and technical resources for growth. The program provides mentorship, entrepreneurship training, and financial literacy to empower entrepreneurs, with a gender bias that favors women and youth.
Overall, the program has trained a significant number of women and youth in financial literacy and entrepreneurship, contributing to job creation and economic empowerment in communities. The success stories of Sylvia, Yahala, and Rebecca highlight the positive impact of such initiatives in fostering entrepreneurship and financial inclusion among women.
