Saturday April 21, 2018
Leading Somali financial institutions have partnered with a Swedish agency to enable communities have access to loans.
This image taken on April 8, 2015 shows money transfer company Dahabshiil's Nairobi branch. It is one of the financial institutions that have partnered with Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency to provide Somalis with loans. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The partnership with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) will empower citizens through entrepreneurship.
The programme was launched on April 18 and includes Dahabshiil Bank International, Premier Bank and International Bank of Somalia.
On its website, Sida says the purpose of the project is to "expand the provision of low collateral loans to small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) throughout the Somali region".
Speaking during the launch, Swedish Ambassador to Somalia Andreas von Uexküll said the undertaking will provide the institutions with the relevant instruments to enlarge "their lending procedures and open up new and viable markets".
REMITTANCE
Further, the programme will increase access to finance for merit-worthy SMEs that lack sufficient collateral or possess other non-financial credit challenges.
Somalis in Sweden continue to play an important role in the recovery of the country that was torn apart by civil war.
The diasporans' remittances facilitate access to health, education and investment.
Many send funds through money transfer firm Dahabshiil.
"The strong ties between our countries, not least through emerging private business initiatives, call for a deeper engagement by Sida in the development of financial services with a view to reducing poverty and rebuilding the country," Ambassador Von Uexkull said.
JOBS
The ambassador emphasised that SMEs are fundamental because they help create job opportunities.
Equally, Dahabshiil's chief executive officer Abdirashid Duale embraced the initiative, saying it will benefit many Somalis.
More importantly, Mr Duale said such a programme will encourage youth to remain in the country and rebuild it rather than seek opportunities elsewhere.
"This kind of partnership between Somali banks and international actors like Sida will increase job creation and development across the Somali-speaking regions," he said.