New app offers economic opportunity to Nigerien women

In short

Women in Niger cannot open regular bank accounts. They therefore have difficulty achieving financial independence, whether that means starting a businesses, paying for the children's schooling or buying a home.

The solution

Savings loan groups give women in Niger a safety net and opportunity to take control of their lives. Through a project called eArziki, we've digitized this proven approach, creating an app for cashless savings and bank transfers. It's more secure than cash, build a credit history, and helps women secure their financial opportunity.

Sustainable Development Goals

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Women in Niger cannot open a regular bank account. Thus, taking out a small business loan, or buying a house becomes very difficult.

But with CAREs traditional village savings-and-loan groups, women can jointly save up and give loans to each other. It is a method that thousands of women in Africa and Asia have already used with great success.

Digital savings-and-loan group

In Niger, we have now further developed the popular savings-and-loan groups by making them digital.

While the savings-and-loan groups traditionally saved cash in a physical metal box, eArziki allows them to transfer money digitally via a mobile app developed for the purpose.

Above © CARE. Header © Josh Estey/CARE Billede ovenfor © CARE

Reduces the risk of theft

Using cashless transfers reduces the risk of theft and avoids the high fees of private-sector intermediaries. The women receive mobile phones and training in using the app so they can build financial security for themselves and their family.

”"This makes it much easier for us to shop and borrow money."”

Adama Chaibou, member of a savings-and-loan group in Niger

Digital history builds better credit

In addition to their ease and security, a digital solution helps women prove their creditworthiness. When they borrow and pay back money through eArziki, the app records the transactions, building a digital credit history that they can use to show that they are reliable borrowers, thus opening more financial doors for themselves.

20%

of Nigeriens have a formal bank account

Blockchain version on its way

The trial launch of the app has begun in November 2022, and CARE expects the app to go live in February-March 2023. CARE intends to further develop a blockchain version of the app. With the blockchain technology comes enhanced security, greater transparency, instant traceability, increased efficiency and speed, automation and much more. A community-enabled digital currency will allow the village savings-and-loan groups to use their digital currency for day-to-day business transactions.

Towards a more equal society

The women who are part of eArziki thus have the opportunity to borrow money to start a business, pay for the children's schooling, buy new farming supplies and support themselves if catastrophe strikes. This means that women gain self-confidence and their own voice in society. In other words, the savings-loan groups – traditional as well as digital - are a step on the road to a more equal society and an effective vehicle for economic justice and long-term resilience.