Partners Eastern Africa
We partner with ministries and government agencies, umbrella organisations in the microfinance sector, training institutes, universities and financial institutions. Together we sustainably foster economic and social development in our project countries.
Our partner organisations in Burundi
Réseau des Institutions de Microfinance (RIM)
RIM is a non-profit association created in 2002 by microfinance institutions (MFIs) engaged in the development of financial services for the benefit of the population evolving outside the traditional banking circuit. RIM has 60 member institutions, covering 99% of the total volume of microfinance activities in Burundi.
In 2012, German Sparkassenstiftung Eastern Africa (DSIK) and RIM signed a partnership agreement with the aim of strengthening the professionalization of the microfinance sector in Burundi. RIM, in partnership with DSIK, has carried out various activities since then. Here are a few examples:
The introduction of a financial education program in Burundi including a series of training sessions on financial education for primary and secondary school teachers and local authorities, capacity building for the staff of MFIs and their clients, the introduction of shared services referring to services jointly purchased by several MFIs at a lower cost is another activity that was supported by DSIK in collaboration with RIM. In order to enhance professionalization and transparency in the microfinance sector, DSIK and RIM organized the Burundian Microfinance Week, facilitated high level exchange formats with governmental counterparts and supported intensive training programs of MFIs to improve their governance system and reporting to the Central Bank.
The activities jointly implemented by DSIK and RIM over the years have not only substantially impacted the level of professionalism in the Burundian microfinance sector and rendered RIM a service-oriented umbrella organization, but they also institutionalized the annual celebration of the World Savings Day, improved financial literacy and fostered overall financial inclusion of large sections of the Burundian population. The partnership was concluded in September 2024.
University of Burundi (UB)
The UB entered into a partnership agreement with DSIK to implement partnership projects aimed at strengthening Burundian students’ skills in financial literacy, financial management, microfinance, and entrepreneurship through capacity building and institutional strengthening.
The implementation of the partnership was entrusted to the Center for Incubation and Acceleration of the University of Burundi (CINAUB), the former incubator of the doctoral school, which was born from the initiative of the management of this university to serve the community through the support of entrepreneurial projects in addition to the teaching and research missions.
As part of these efforts, various entrepreneurial training sessions, interactive panel discussions and debates, and Business to Business workshops (B2B) were organized to connect young entrepreneurs at the UB with MFIs. Coaching sessions were also provided to assist students in developing solid business plans, leading to the successful launch of several student-run businesses.
Furthermore, a business competition was conducted, recognizing the most promising entrepreneurial ideas. This partnership was successfully completed by September 2024.
Our partner organisations in Kenya
African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA)
ACCOSCA is a Pan-African confederation of national associations of savings and credit cooperatives societies. ACCOSCA opened its doors in 1968 and is currently being governed by domicile laws and the ACCOSCA constitution. It enjoys a goodwill gesture from its members and other stakeholders that are keen on making Africa a better place to live.
ACCOSCA’s members are spread in the following regional blocks in Africa: Eastern, western, and southern Africa. Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) have a widespread within their countries and are mandated to provide financial services to their members.
ACCOSCA is mandated to provide consultancy, training, and advocacy services to national SACCO associations. However, in Kenya our joint activities together with German Sparkassenstiftung focus on the Kenyan SACCO sector, aiming to effectively and sustainably promote financial inclusion in Kenya.
Association of Microfinance Institutions in Kenya (AMFI-K)
AMFI-K is a member-based institution, registered in 1999 under the Societies Act by the leading Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Kenya, with a mission to champion the aspirations of its members and promote sector growth and development. To achieve this mission and objective, AMFI-K mandate is anchored on four key pillars: Policy advocacy and lobbying, capacity building, research and knowledge management, networking and linkages.
AMFI-K's membership base varies from MFIs, microfinance banks, credit-only lending institutions, mainstream banks offering microcredit services, wholesale lenders as well as developmental institutions. DSIK’s partnership with AMFI-K aims to build and enhance the capacities of MFIs in Kenya.
Our partner organisations in Rwanda
Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN)
MINECOFIN is the line ministry for all financial sector interventions, including those of the microfinance sector. Among its goals is the promotion of a dynamic, efficient, and stable financial market, that is accessible to all segments of the Rwandan population. MINECOFIN’s mission is to raise sustainable growth, economic opportunities, and living standards of all Rwandans. MINECOFIN, in partnership with the German Sparkassenstiftung Eastern Africa (DSIK), is steering the Umurenge SACCO Professionalization Project. The project aims to computerize all 416 Umurenge SACCOs with a core banking software, to consolidate them to 30 District-level SACCOs in a multi-merger process, and to establish a Cooperative Bank. As a result of this collaborative effort, all 416 Umurenge SACCOs have already been computerized, and the consolidation phase is actively progressing, with several District-level SACCOs already in place.
Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM)
MINICOM’s mission is to facilitate Rwanda’s economic transformation by enabling a competitive private sector integrated into regional and global markets while ensuring a level playing field and the protection of consumers. As such, it is not only the line ministry for Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA), but it also provides policy guidance for our various partner interventions, especially in the field of entrepreneurship and cooperatives.
Rwanda Cooperatives Agency (RCA)
RCA is a public institution in charge of regulating and promoting an autonomous and economically viable cooperative movement founded on cooperative values and principles. This includes both non-financial cooperatives and financial cooperatives, i.e. Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs). RCA is the implementer of the Umurenge SACCO Professionalization Project, which has been steered by different Rwandan ministries and government institutions , including MINECOFIN, since its start in 2015. The project aims to computerize all 416 Umurenge SACCOs with a core banking software, to consolidate them to 30 District-level SACCOs in a multi-merger process, and to establish a Cooperative Bank. The project aims to computerize all 416 Umurenge SACCOs with a core banking software, to consolidate them to 30 District-level SACCOs in a multi-merger process, and to establish a Cooperative Bank. As a result of this collaborative effort, all 416 Umurenge SACCOs have already been computerized, and the consolidation phase is actively progressing, with several District-level SACCOs already in place.
Additionally, RCA works closely with DSIK and financial cooperatives, SACCOs, in the development of tailored financial products for non-financial, thus facilitating linkages between non-financial and financial cooperatives.
Rwanda Institute of Cooperatives, Entrepreneurship and Microfinance (RICEM)
The Rwanda Institute of Cooperatives, Entrepreneurship and Microfinance (RICEM) is a nationally accredited vocational education service provider catering to the Rwandan Cooperatives, Entrepreneurs, and Microfinance Institutions. It provides vocational training and consultancy services in the three before-mentioned sectors to foster skills and capacity development in Rwanda. DSIK has accompanied local partners in the establishment of RICEM from the earliest phase. The official opening of the training academy was in 2014. In 2019, RICEM started to operate as a private company.
Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR)
AMIR is the only umbrella organization of MFIs operating in Rwanda since 2007 with the core mission to offer diversified services to Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) to enable them to work professionally and contribute to poverty reduction in a sustainable manner. It seeks to build a flourishing microfinance sector in Rwanda through different areas of advocacy and information, research and development, responsible finance, performance monitoring and capacity building. Its membership represents more than 90% of the microfinance sector in Rwanda with an aim of integrating all MFIs and SACCOs operating in Rwanda so that to serve them under one umbrella. DSIK started partnership with AMIR in 2009 until September 2020. This collaboration significantly strengthened the microfinance sector in Rwanda, enhancing its professionalism, capacity, and outreach.
Independent University of Rwanda (ULK)
ULK is a private institution of higher learning with the mission to provide its students with education that will enable them to become actors and organizers of a complete development of the nation. ULK currently teaches more than 9,000 students for bachelor’s and master’s degree at their two campuses in Kigali and Rubavu. It follows the motto “Science and Conscience”. From 2019 until January 2023, ULK partnered with DSIK to foster entrepreneurial mindsets among students. Although the formal partnership ended, ULK continues to collaborate with DSIK, as well as institutions such as Kempten University of Applied Sciences and RICEM, to co-host the International Entrepreneurship Summer School (IESS), an initiative that brings together students from both ULK and Kempten University to cultivate innovation and cross-cultural learning.
National Cooperative Confederation of Rwanda (NCCR)
In Rwanda, there are more than 9,000 primary cooperatives working in different business sectors. They are organized in Unions, and Unions are represented in Federations, while NCCR acts as the only national umbrella of the whole cooperative movement. It was founded in 2010 to support their member cooperatives through capacity development, information sharing as well as advocacy and collaboration with public, private, and civil society organizations at local, regional, and international levels. The partnership with NCCR aims to strengthen the institutional framework for cooperatives in Rwanda. Therefore, DSIK supported NCCR in its long-term efforts to become a strong national umbrella that serves the whole cooperative movement including financial cooperatives in Rwanda. One of the main objectives of the partnership was to assist NCCR in its mandate to institutionally strengthen subordinate cooperative organizations, like federations, unions and primary cooperatives (including SACCOs). NCCR together with AMIR acts as the owner of RICEM. This partnership ended in January 2023.
Our partner organisations in Tanzania
Savings and Credit Cooperative Union League of Tanzania (SCCULT)
SCCULT is an umbrella organization for Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) in Tanzania, it was registered in 1992. They are lobbyists, representing the interests of SACCOs to the national government and a service provider offering accountancy training, loans, internal inspections, bulk SMS, risk management, stationery, legal advice and marketing support to SACCOs. It also organizes networking events for members, including the annual World SACCOs Day celebration and workshops on current issues throughout the year. SCCULT currently seeks financial support from governmental and non-governmental organisations, both within and outside of Tanzania, in order to improve its service and outreach to SACCOs and their members.
The partnership’s purpose is to join forces with SCCULT’s board and management to revive the organization after a period of decommissioning. German Sparkassenstiftung in Tanzania continues to support them by providing strategic advisory services, professionalizing the management, training the members of the SACCOs, digitalization as well as helping to revise SCCULT’s strategic plan and enhance the effectiveness of its operations.
Tanzania Association of Microfinance Institutions (TAMFI)
TAMFI is a non-profit umbrella organisation for Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Tanzania. It was formally registered in 2001 as a sole network for micro finance activities in Dar es-Salaam, Tanzania. Members include commercial, community and microfinance banks, NGOs, private MFIs, SACCOs, apex of informal groups, micro-insurance companies and business service providers. The current over 160 member institutions of TAMFI reach out to approximately 1.2 million micro entrepreneurs in urban and rural areas. These are micro entrepreneurs who are committed to change their financial behaviours. The association seeks to develop capability of micro finance institutions and the micro finance sector in general through advocacy, lobbying, responsible micro finance, capacity building, and information gathering and dissemination.
German Sparkassenstiftung supported TAMFI in achieving its goals by providing strategic advisory services, needs-based trainings for TAMFI’s members, and training on management games. We also conducted training of trainers for TAMFI staff and assisted in assessing their IT system. Through these services, German Sparkassenstiftung enhanced TAMFI’s capacity to deliver efficient and high-quality services to its member financial institutions. Furthermore, the partnership which ended in 2022, contributed to financial inclusion goals by combining expertise, resources, and shared objectives.
Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission (TCDC)
TCDC is a government institution established in 2014 by the Cooperative Societies Act and is mandated to regulate and promote development of the cooperative sector. Located in Dodoma, Tanzania, TCDC aims to be a leading organization in Africa that promotes development of modern and commercial cooperative societies that meet global standards and requirements of the Cooperative Movement. The commission is aiming to provide efficient and effective regulatory and promotional services for the establishment of vibrant, modern and commercial cooperative societies in Tanzania.
The scope of the partnership between German Sparkassenstiftung and TCDC centered on supporting the development of a more efficient structure and professional operation of SACCOs, digitalization, and the implementation of micro business games and farmers business games to advance financial education among SACCO members. This was one of the major achievements in building the capacity of the cooperative sector through training of trainers for cooperative officers and many SACCOs under the guidance of TCDC. The partnership concluded in 2022.
SELF Microfinance Fund (SELF MF)
SELF MF is a wholesale microfinance fund providing loans to micro-finance intermediaries such as microfinance companies, SACCOs, and community banks for lending to underserved entrepreneurs in rural and urban areas. It also provides capacity building and institutional support to MFIs for growth and delivery of sustainable financial services. SELF MF strives to improve access to microfinance services for the poor, especially in rural areas, through loans and/or savings, to promote awareness and catalyse the formation of Community Based Organizations (CBOs), as well as to enhance the capacity of existing MFIs, to render better services to their target clients.
The partnership focused on strategic advisory services as well as on strategic and business planning, management training, training of trainers for their staff, and support in assessing their IT system. This helped to improve the structure and operations of the fund. A major achievement was the transition of SELF MF from a project into a business organization with qualified staff and assured sustainability, which was later followed by a merger with another financial institution. The partnership concluded in 2022.
AKIBA COMMERCIAL BANK PLC (ACB)
ACB was established in 1997 by Tanzanian businessmen with the objective of serving the banking needs of the poorest of Tanzanians who were hitherto unbanked and had not been served by the large commercial banks until then. It is one of the commercial banks licensed by the Bank of Tanzania, the central bank and national banking regulator. ACB aims to be the preferred banking partner for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, by striving to provide inclusive innovative financial solutions in the most efficient and sustainable manner.
ACB offers various products and services such as deposit, loans, insurance services and other services like Akiba mobile, E-statements, TISS (Tanzania Inter-bank Settlement System), SWIFT and ATM services.
Today, ACB has expanded its services beyond Dar es-Salaam and successfully established itself as a strong presence in Tanzanian banking sector, which has one of the highest numbers of banks in Africa. ACB has also broadened its reach and is now able to provide financial services to customers of all levels including college and university students, entire families, homeowners, business owners as well as private operations.
The partnership with ACB focused on the provision of financial education to students in schools. One of the achievements through this collaboration, was the implementation of World Savings Week 2019 in Mwanza, where ACB, German Sparkassenstiftung, local teachers and students participated to educate the community about the importance of savings.
Our partner organisations in Uganda
Uganda Cooperative Savings and Credit Union Limited (UCSCU)
UCSCU, founded in 1972, serves as the national apex body for Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) in Uganda. As the umbrella organization, UCSCU’s core mission is to promote and empower SACCOs nationwide by offering high-quality specialized financial and non-financial services that ensure their sustainability. A key focus of UCSCU is to foster the creation and growth of safe and sound SACCOs, that will extend financial services to populations throughout the country. This initiative aims to encourage savings mobilization and facilitate the use of these savings as investment capital for businesses through loan provision. In partnership, German Sparkassenstiftung Eastern Africa (DSIK) provides technical assistance to UCSCU, enabling it to offer sustainable and professional support to its member SACCOs. This collaboration also involves promoting financial education by establishing children's saving clubs in schools to build a savings culture, developing the capacity of the SACCO personnel through establishment of the UCSCU Academy and empowering members with business acumen via DSIK’s Business Games and the technical skills via the Business Hub. DSIK has also advanced the digitalization of Ugandan SACCOs installing a Core Banking System with a mobile banking platform to enhance the sector's efficiency and sustainability.
Association of Microfinance Institutions of Uganda (AMFIU)
AMFIU, an umbrella organization for Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Uganda. It was founded in November 1996 through the collaboration of microfinance sector stakeholders who saw the need for an industry association that would coordinate them to lobby the government for supportive policies, facilitate the exchange of information and experiences, and foster connections with both local and international partners while promoting best industry practices.
DSIK has supported AMFIU's goals by offering technical support to enable the provision of sustainable and professional services to its members. This included promoting financial education by creating children's saving clubs in schools to build a savings culture as the future clients of MFIs and equipping MFI staff and clients with business knowledge and skills through Business Games.
Additionally, DSIK provided digital financial literacy to improve usage of Digital Financial Services among customers of MFIs, supported essential training to member MFIs on the Performance Monitoring Tool (PMT) and comprehensive cybersecurity measures.
Recognizing the need for business acumen within AMFIU, DSIK through strategic management consulting, including the development of robust strategy and business plan established AMFIU Business Consult Ltd (ABC) as a business arm to AMFIU to provide fee-based products and services that promote professionalism in the microfinance sector. ABC’s mission is to bridge the gap in professional consultancy by delivering tailored solutions that enhance institutional growth, resilience, and long-term impact. Through helping institutions strengthen governance, optimize risk management, refine financial strategies, and enhance overall performance, ABC is now self-sustaining. The partnership between DSIK and AMFIU concluded in September 2024.
Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS)
UIBFS (formerly The Uganda Institute of Bankers) was established in 1990 as the training and certification body for the banking and financial services industry in Uganda. The institute maintains affiliations with numerous institutions and bodies involved in the provision, promotion, and regulation of banking and finance education. These include membership in the Alliance of African Institutes of Bankers (AAIOB) and the Global Banking Education Standards Board (GBEStB). UIBFS also collaborates with various training institutions, such as Makerere University (a top ten African university), the London Institute of Banking & Finance, Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, and ACI - FMA, among others.
To further UIBF’s goals of developing and delivering specialized programs for financial sector practitioners in key areas, fostering lifelong learning, and strengthening relationships with industry leaders and professionals, DSIK introduced the Dual Apprenticeship System, branded as the Microfinance Apprenticeship Program (MAP). This certified, competence-based curriculum has played a crucial role in developing well-rounded and highly skilled professionals, successfully bridging the existing skill deficits within the microfinance and SACCO sectors. The impact is evident in the two graduation events that saw eight cohorts of students from more than 48 financial institutions complete the program between 2021 and 2024. The successful partnership between DSIK and AMFIU ended in September 2024.
