Our insights

This blog explores how the Groupe Yeredeme (GYD) methodology in Mali is unlocking financial inclusion for rural women through the power of strategic partnerships. By organizing women into self-help groups and leveraging collaboration between a local NGO, a microfinance institution, and SCBF, the initiative empowers women with access to savings and credit, enabling them to build resilience and improve their livelihoods.

Between 2019–2022, SCBF supported two projects with Acre Africa focused on scaling agricultural insurance and providing financial education to smallholder farmers. Post-project impact assessments, conducted by independent consultants, evaluated the initiatives’ effectiveness, reach, and educational impact. Findings offer key insights for scaling the product and underscore the role of financial education in boosting insurance uptake among Rwandan farmers.

This piece highlights the SCBF-supported Yeredeme project in Mali, which strengthens women’s economic empowerment through rural self-help groups that promote peer learning and financial self-management. Piloted by CAMIDE and Manjari Foundation in Kayes, the initiative significantly improved women’s access to finance and demonstrated strong potential for replication and scale. The case study explores its impact and future prospects.

A study on the Yeredeme methodology in Mali was conducted to understand how it enables women to access credit and develop income-generating activities that contribute to their empowerment and give them access to microcredit. The infographic illustrates the impact of empowering rural women in Mali through Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

SCBF has supported 25 projects across six West African countries with a focus on agriculture, resilience, and women’s empowerment. In 2023, MicroSave Consulting conducted a study capturing key insights and client experiences from these initiatives. Despite implementation challenges, the projects are generating meaningful impact on the ground. Here’s a short film showcasing the real-life stories and outcomes from SCBF-supported projects in Mali, Benin, and Togo.

Swiss Re has been a valuable partner in SCBF’s work, co-funding 10 projects across Africa and Asia to build resilience in low-income communities. One such project provides weather index-based insurance to smallholder farmers in India, helping protect them from crop loss due to weather adversities. Swiss Re Foundation's impact story showcases how this collaboration is reaching the last mile and supporting vulnerable farmers.

Impact-linked Finance (ILF) is transforming how we approach inclusive finance and sustainable investing. By linking financial rewards to measurable social outcomes, ILF enables high-impact enterprises serving low-income communities to scale sustainably while staying true to their mission. In this blog, we explore how ILF is shaping the future of impact finance - and how SCBF is actively embracing this innovative approach.

Swiss Re Foundation has been a strategic partner since 2021, although Swiss Re's collaboration with SCBF dates back to 2012. Together, they have co-funded 10 impactful projects across six countries in Africa and Asia, with a focus on health and parametric insurance. This partnership has led to significant positive outcomes, which are highlighted in a compendium of achievements compiled by SCBF.

The blog underscores the critical need for bold climate action at COP28 and emphasizes how inclusive finance, through initiatives like those by SCBF, can play a pivotal role in fostering climate resilience, especially for underserved communities. It demonstrates the potential of tailored financial solutions in supporting both climate mitigation and adaptation, helping to build a sustainable, climate-friendly economy.