by Opportunity International
A growing youth population Youth un- and under-employment is one of the biggest challenges currently facing Africa. Many countries are struggling to provide education, productive employment and decent work for all. As the population increases, this challenge is becoming more acute – by 2050, Africa’s population is set to double. In Uganda, 78% of the population is under the age of 31. While about 700,000 young people reach working age every year in Uganda, only 75,000 jobs are created.…
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by Opportunity International
Our work with refugees enables people to move from dependency to self-reliance. Build their own businesses. And, work their own way out of poverty. It provides 12,000 refugee households with access to financial products and services to establish sustainable livelihoods. The best part of our work is hearing the stories from our clients. We've got three new inspiring stories to share with you about refugees overcoming challenges using their financial skills, innovative ideas and determination... Meet,…
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by Opportunity International
Today, is Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Where the digital world turns their attention towards people with disabilities and shines a light on digital access and inclusion. There are more than one billion people with disabilities and impairments globally. Digital accessibility cannot be overlooked. And cannot be confined to one awareness raising day. Accessibility is integral to equality. In Uganda, we are providing access to financial service to people living with disabilities and working…
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by Opportunity International UK
Over the last 10 years we have worked with partners like Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans in Ghana, using technology to link clients to financial services and support. Digital technology helps us reach people living in places without access to banks, with financial services, training and products to help them build and grow sustainable businesses. After saving the proceeds of her business, Imoro, a porridge saleswoman and Opportunity International UK client living in Ghana, bought a mobile phone. Through…
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by Diana Salume Aqrchet, Project Associate, Refugee Financial Inclusion Programme - Uganda
New Business for Female Refugees in Uganda Lorna, a 24-year-old refugee, has lived in Uganda's capital city Kampala with her mother and siblings for five years. Seeing an opportunity, she started to teach a group of women tailoring skills that she had learnt at school in South Sudan before war forced her family to leave their country and home. To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022, the UNHCR hosted a Refugee Market Day in Kampala - showcasing products and ideas from female refugees. Opportunity…
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by Opportunity International UK
With over 75% of the population living on less than $1.90 a day, Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the word. 80% of the population rely on agriculture to make a living. Farming is an occupation that faces increasing challenges with the effects of climate change. In January 2022 Cyclone Ana hit southern Malawi causing widespread devastation of homes and land. Our three-year project, ‘Strengthening Systems for Financial Inclusion in Rural Malawi’ will provide access to finance and training…
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by Jenny Dunn, Head of Marketing and Communications
Farmers play a crucial role in the economy of Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) yet without resources and training, many smallholder farmers operate at 40% or less of their harvest potential. Female farmers are particularly disadvantaged due to cultural barriers and lack of access to financial training and services. Our Roots of Change project sought to overcome these barriers. Over the last three years we have worked with rural female farmers in Ghana and the DRC to establish…
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by Emily Wilson, Communications Officer
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination… We work with women farmers and entrepreneurs as they equip themselves with the financial skills and products to create sustainable livelihoods. Livelihoods that raise their standard of living. So that their children can go to school, their families can eat well and they have a secure income for the future. This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #breakthebias. It's a call to celebrate women’s achievements,…
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by Opportunity International
Ugandan-born journalist and author Yasmin Alibhai-Brown understands the power of an opportunity. Her own story of leaving a country she loved amid hardship to seize an opportunity for a different future mirrors that of so many of our clients. In February 2022 Yasmin presented our BBC Radio 4 appeal, highlighting the brilliant entrepreneurial women and men we work with. Yasmin has an incredible story of growing up in Uganda with Ugandan-Asian parents who had to flee the country 50 years ago. Yasmin…
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by Opportunity International
Farmers in Ghana are increasingly hit by drought, flooding and pests. Using satellite data, and in person visits to farmers fields to calculate crop loss, Opportunity International can help farmers manage and protect themselves against the increasing effects climate change. Our Roots of Change project in Ghana was recently featured in Reuters, which reported on one specific and very important element of the project which looked at how our agricultural products and services can help best support rural…
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