International Day of Rural Women: The Hands That Grow the World
Today is the International Day of Rural Women, a day that most people have never heard of, but one that deserves to be known by everyone who has ever sat down to a meal. Every grain, fruit, and vegetable begins with a farmer, often a woman in a rural community. A little background on the day: The United Nations established this day in 2007 to honor the women who feed the world and keep rural economies moving. Across Africa, these women make up nearly two-thirds of the agricultural workforce, yet…
Read MoreLocal Innovation in Regenerative Agriculture: Peace’s Story at St. Theresa’s School
Opportunity International’s Agriculture and Education Finance teams recently launched a project called “Thriving Rural Communities in Uganda,” in partnership with St. Theresa’s Day and Boarding Primary School in Uganda. When the project officially started, the community welcomed the idea of setting up a regenerative agriculture demonstration garden – but the lasting impact and creativity that would come from this project couldn’t even be imagined. Teachers, parents, and learners all joined…
Read More“Propagate” AgFinance Summit Insights Report: Building Resilience and Expanding Opportunity Through AgFinance
At the heart of this year’s Propagate AgFinance Summit was a simple idea: when financial institutions, policymakers, and communities come together around innovation and shared purpose, change happens. Over three days, participants explored how financing smallholder farmers can strengthen climate resilience, unlock opportunities for women and refugees, expand access to education, and build healthier, more sustainable communities. The summit’s success was driven by the leadership of financial partners…
Read MoreMudelanji Builds a Stronger Future with Better Financial Tools
In Namasalima Village in southern Malawi, Mudelanji stands beside the small grocery business she built with discipline, focus, and a new set of skills. At 44, she supports her family with a steady income, pays her children’s school fees, and makes confident decisions about money – something she couldn’t imagine doing just a year ago. When Mudelanji joined the Titukulane group (meaning “let’s grow together”) under the Opportunity International AgFinance Financial Access for Rural Markets,…
Read MoreLegal Identity, Real Opportunity: How Farmer Groups in Rwanda Are Gaining Access to Finance
In rural Rwanda, many smallholder farmers face a silent barrier: the lack of legal identity. Without proper registration, these farmers cannot open bank accounts, access credit, or fully participate in formal financial systems. For years, they’ve relied on informal savings groups, a valuable strategy but one that often requires borrowing at steep interest rates (up to 10–15% per month) just to keep their farms running. Opportunity International AgFinance is working to change that. Jackson…
Read MoreUnlocking Rural Potential: Inside the GROW Program’s Strategy for Women
Across rural Africa, women rise before dawn, manage their households, tend to crops, and sell at market; yet they often remain the last to access credit, training, or tools. As Kofi Annan once said, “There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.” And nowhere is that truth more urgent than in agriculture. In Sub-Saharan Africa, women make up over 50% of the agricultural workforce but receive less than 10% of available credit. This imbalance stunts growth, deepens…
Read MoreBuilding Stronger Farms and Livelihoods through FARMSE
Across rural Malawi, smallholder farmers work every day to grow more, earn more, and build a better future for their families. But without access to financial services, many remain excluded from the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. That’s where the FARMSE program steps in. What is FARMSE? The Financial Access for Rural Markets, Smallholder and Enterprises (FARMSE) program, supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), expands access to essential financial…
Read MoreEmpowered Moms Change the World: Rose's Story of Hope and Transformation
A Mother’s Day Story of Strength and Resilience This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating mothers like Rose Magombo—women whose unwavering strength and resilience are reshaping the future for their families and communities. In rural Malawi, where advantages are scarce and setbacks are common, Rose’s story reminds us just how powerful a mother’s love—and support—can be. Rose, a member of the Malawi graduation program, poses outside her home in rural Blantyre, Malawi on April 24, 2024 From…
Read MoreEarth Day Spotlight: Regenerating Land, Rebuilding Resilience
For smallholder farmers across rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa, the land is more than merely soil - it’s a lifeline. It feeds families, supports local markets, and anchors entire communities; but that connection is growing more fragile. Increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, such as floods, droughts, and strong storms, can wipe out crops in a single season, putting both food and income at risk for millions. At Opportunity International’s Agriculture Finance, we’ve seen how these…
Read MoreAbakundana’s Path to Growth Through a VSLA
Facing Challenges with Determination Adelphine and her fellow farmers in the Kagano Sector of Rwanda were no strangers to hard work. Day after day, they tended to their farms, determined to provide for their families. But despite their efforts, they faced immense challenges - limited access to quality seeds and fertilizers, unpredictable markets, and the struggle to transport their produce. Financial literacy and savings were out of reach, making it difficult to invest in growth. They were doing…
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