


Benso JamaanuNetwork ofSelf-Managed & Self-Financed Villages Banks in MaliObjectivesBenso Jamaanu, founding member of Aliniha International, offers savings and credit services not only to Aliniha women and self-managed Aliniha Associations (AAA), but also more broadly to the populations of the regions in which its works: the regions of Kayes and Oulessebougou in Mali. ResultsSet up under the impulsion and direction of Alou Keita, Benso Jamaanu brings together 140 self-managed and financed village banks. Together, they serve more than 50 000 clients (of which 16 000 are women), in . They are capitalised by savings of the population and migrants living abroad, including a large number in France. Each bank employs local personnel and its management board is elected by the village’s inhabitants. The board is also instructed to reinvest profits from the micro-financing activities in community projects. Benso Jamaanu inaugurated a formal system that enables Malians living in Paris to transfer money directly to a current account at one of the network’s village banks. The service, which was needed for a long time, makes the transfer of migrants’ savings both easy and secure. It also means the village people can get quick access to the funds without having to travel into town. In 2013, Benso Jamaanu starting computerising its main branches and undertook measures to improve governance. Benso Jamaanu’s clients include all the Aliniha women in addition to the 9 AAAs in the region of Kayes. The women deposit their savings and can receive micro-credits guaranteed by joint liability. These are reimbursed within four months and are used to provide working capital for their trading purposes. The AAA’s also have an account and can contract loans as long as their commercial activity shows a profit. In April 2013, the Kobokoro AAA was able to contract a loan of 450 000 CFA francs, at an interest rate of 15% and reimbursable in 12 months, so as to finance its Aliniha boutique. The AAA deposited 10% of the requested amount as a guarantee and made the reimbursements on time. All the charges (remuneration of the salesforce, watchman, amortization of the material and equipment...) are paid, and provision is made weekly. Benso Jamaanu employs 127 people. Our SupportThe Foundation advises, with the support of Virtue Ventures, Benso Jamaanu to develop and to adopt appropriate management tools to coop with the growth of its activities and clients. ContactAlou Keita |
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