Case Study

Reaching More Savers: Q&A with Management and Staff of ACSI in Ethiopia

Attracting customers through institutional improvements
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This case study of Amhara Credit and Savings Institution (ACSI) in Ethiopia focuses on the institutions commitment to savings. It presents interviews with ACSI staff on their hopes, attitudes and the challenges they face in bringing in more customers. ACSI is one of the largest MFIs in Africa with more than 400,000 borrowers and 200,000 savers. It believes that savings is the only sustainable source of funding for the long term. ACSI has a clear goal and very motivated staff, but its progress is hindered by the lack of availability of commercial funding. The institution has not been able to fully meet clients' demand and needs more funds to finance planned growth. ACSI needs to reach and attract more savers in order to achieve its goals. The article follows ACSI as it modernizes its infrastructure, changes its products, builds a new image, and learns about the costs of savings. It states that ACSI will need to make basic improvements on multiple levels to attract more savers, including:

  • Updating physical and MIS infrastructure;
  • Offering better transportation for officers;
  • Crafting effective promotional messages that explain the benefits of savings.

About this Publication

By Glisovic-Mezieres, J.
Published