BLOGS

This is the third entry from Chris Wood in the "Art of the Possible: Technology and Tools for Improved Monitoring and Evaluation" blog series, which covers design, data collection, databases, analysis, and using your results.

This article is the final installment in the blog series, Exploring the Business Case of Youth Savings. The series  presents views on the business case for youth inclusive financial services. You will hear from financial service practitioners, policy-makers, and advocates from around the world.

My name is Jules Ndahayo and I have been the CEO of a Rwandan Credit union network since its inception in 2005, which is now being transformed into a microfinance company called “UMUTANGUHA Finance” (UF Ltd) to better serve its clientele. Over this time, I am proud to have witnessed how our member base grew to 59,000 depositors and 3,200 borrowers, with a strong focus on vulnerable and low income people. Sometimes people ask me where is UCU’s business case for serving youth.

It is here that MEDA’s YouthInvest project has found their approach to building financial capabilities for youth through “100 hours to success,” a blended approach to training youth on business skills (for example: developing a business plan, conducting competitive analysis), life skills (for example: practical customer service techniques and conflict management) and financial education (savings, budgeting, financial negotiations, available financial services and debt management).