Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world and, in neighborhoods like Rimkieta—one of the most disadvantaged areas in the capital, Ouagadougou—social exclusion especially affects women. When they become widows, many lose their belongings and even custody of their children, who are seen as part of the husband’s family inheritance. Without access to the microfinance system, they lack the minimum resources to start a business and gain autonomy.
To address this situation, since 2007 the Amigos de Rimkieta Foundation has been granting microcredits to women living in extreme poverty, in order to boost their personal and professional development. These loans allow them to start small businesses such as selling food, vegetables, or charcoal, or working as weavers, promoting their independence and equal opportunities.
The program includes organizing women into groups, offering commission-free savings accounts, and two months of training in financial management, health, and civil rights. So far, more than 1,560 microcredits have been granted, with a repayment rate of 99%. Thanks to these loans, many women have been able to support their families, improve their social status, and ensure their children’s education.
