• 68% live below the poverty line
• 78% of adults are “unbanked”
• 2/3 lack access to financial services

Rural families in Zambia need access to financial services to better manage their homes and small businesses. But bank branches are few and far between and bank fees are high. Many forego investments in their microenterprises, household or savings due to lack of access. MEDA’s Techno-Links project will promote the use of branchless banking networks and mobile phones to deliver innovative financial services to rural areas.

Origins: MEDA's work in Zambia began in 2006 with a four-year project to strengthen two microfinance partners, ensuring their long-term viability and sustainable reach to underserved rural families in two provinces, and delivering appropriate and affordable financial services and products to disadvantaged farmers. MEDA is currently partnering with Zoona on Technolinks, designing, implementing, and monitoring a new mobile phone-based savings voucher program in four rural communities in Zambia.

From 2007-2010, MEDA implemented a project that aimed to accelerate supply and demand for appropriate and affordable water technology products, without dependency, while strengthening local businesses to ensure their long-term viability and sustainable reach to underserved rural populations.