This pioneering initiative will improve access to finance over the next five years, contributing to scale up digital financial solutions and piloting insurance to 500,000 low-income farmers, including women, youth entrepreneurs.

By addressing the need for improved access to financial services and support for MSMEs in agriculture, the project aims to contribute to the creation of jobs and the sustainable and inclusive economic development of the sector.

iiDENTIFii has formed a close partnership with Zanaco to champion an identity solution relevant to the needs of Zambian consumers and citizens.

The general objective is to test a tailor-made and innovative agricultural product for smallholder farmers and expand the loan products to rural areas.

The plan is to increase financial inclusion in rural areas from the current 50 percent to 75 percent.

The foundation has announced its disbursal of local-currency loans to Togo-based Assilassimé Solidarite in an amount approximately equivalent to $2.5 million and Agora Microfinance Zambia in an amount approximately equivalent to $1.2 million.

Airtel Networks Zambia Plc and the UN Capital Development Fund have announced a partnership designed to bring digital financial services closer to Zambians living in remote areas across the country through Airtel Money.

The collaboration enables UNFCU members to transfer money to mobile wallets in select countries in local currencies.

Microfinance startup Lupiya has received an investment of $1 million from a US Venture Capital fund Enygma Ventures.

As the world continues to face economic turmoil resulting from the COVID-19, communities in Zambia are turning to informal savings groups to cushion the impact of the pandemic.