U&I Microfinance 12

U&I Microfinance

Company

Kenya

Country

The project

When women work, the economy grows. However, women face a global wage gap, more unpaid household labor, and high barriers to accessing the capital they need for their businesses. These challenges led Mary to seek a microloan from U&I Microfinance, which focuses specifically on financing for women and youth.

Mary has been a farmer for over 10 years and switched from livestock farming to growing Ammi flowers a few years ago. With U&I microloans, she was able to expand her farm and create jobs. This not only helps her community but also allows Mary to pay her bills, save more, and even build her own house with the extra income.

By investing in U&I Microfinance, 24 women in Kenya gain access to essential financing. This enables them to earn a stable income and better support their families.

What social return could your investment generate? 

Cultural norms often limit Kenyan women's economic activities. They have limited access to education and formal jobs, leading many into low-paid informal sectors. U&I Microfinance Bank addresses these challenges by providing financial solutions tailored to these women's situations. By investing in U&I, you support not only financial inclusion and equality but also help women and youth whom traditional banks often overlook.

What financial return could your investment generate? 

• Annual interest rate: 7%.
• The loan term is 36 months.
• The investment is repaid in six equal installments every six months over a period of 36 months. Interest is also paid out every six months.
• With an investment of 1,000 euros, the expected total repayment is 1,123 euros.

The story of U&I Microfinance

Since its inception in 2007, U&I Microfinance Bank has focused on improving marginalized groups' access to credit. In 2013, U&I Microfinance Bank received a license from the Central Bank of Kenya to operate as a savings and loan institution. Four years later, in 2017, they received a national license, allowing them to grow from a local to a nationwide microfinance institution. Now, with branches in Nairobi, Kiambu, and Machakos, U&I continues its mission to change lives through financial services, focusing on women and youth.

U&I in numbers

• Founded in 2007 as a microfinance institution.
• Operates through five  branches in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, and Ruiru.
• 63 employees.
• Winner of the Overall Best Microfinance Banking Award in Kenya in 2024.