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Engishon: Transforming financial access for pastoralist communities by advancing inclusive financial service, empowering women and youth, and improving livelihoods through solutions tailored to their unique needs.
About Us
Our Story
Engishon Microfinance Ltd. (Engishon) is a social enterprise offering innovative financial products, financial literacy and business education, and expanding microfinance entrepreneurship skills across rural pastoralist areas in northern Tanzania.
By leveraging mobile technology and fostering private sector grants and investment, Engishon promotes long-term economic empowerment and resilience for underserved pastoralists, particularly women and youth.
Seed funded by the Pastoral Women’s Council (PWC) in 2016 and operating as PWC-Engishon Limited, the organisation began by providing affordable business credit to women’s economic empowerment groups who had successfully grown their group savings by making micro-loans to one another to grow their informal businesses.
In compliance with the Microfinance Act (Cap 407) of 2018 (regulated by the Bank of Tanzania as a Tier 2 Microfinance Institution), the company rebranded as Engishon Microfinance Limited and broadened its approach to serve all pastoralists while maintaining its mission of reaching unbanked rural women and youth with products and services designed specifically to meet their unique needs.
Our Value Proposition
At Engishon, we believe that financial inclusion is the key to unlocking the full potential of pastoralist communities in rural Tanzania. By investing in mobile banking, microfinance, and financial literacy programs, we empower individuals, particularly women and youth, to access the financial tools they need to thrive.
Through strategic partnerships, we provide customer-centric financial and business solutions that exceed expectations and create lasting impact.
Our commitment extends beyond financial services; we offer training, support, and advocacy to help clients become self-sufficient and prosperous.
By raising awareness of the challenges faced by pastoralists and advocating for their rights, Engishon is driving sustainable development and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Together, we are building a future where financial empowerment leads to economic resilience and long-term, community-wide prosperity.
The Case for Expanding Financial Services to Pastoralist Communities
Pastoralist communities in rural Tanzania, especially women and youth, face systemic financial barriers that limit their economic potential. Expanding access to financial services is about inclusion and is a critical step toward reducing poverty and fostering sustainable growth.
With careful community-centric design and implementation, microfinance solutions, such as those provided by Engishon, can overcome seemingly intractable barriers such as:
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Inaccessible Infrastructure: Poor rural infrastructure limits access to financial services and drains time from income-generating activities.
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Low Financial Literacy: Limited understanding of financial tools hinders effective resource management and economic participation.
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Reliance on Informal Systems: Without formal banking options, many turn to unreliable and risky financial alternatives.
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Digital Exclusion: A lack of digital access keeps communities disconnected from modern financial tools and services.
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Gender and Youth Inequality: Women and young people face traditional and legal barriers that restrict property ownership and loan access.
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Perpetuated Poverty: Financial exclusion traps families in cycles of poverty and economic instability.
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Systemic Barriers: Lack of collateral and formal documentation keeps pastoralists locked out of the formal economy
What We Offer
Financial Products and Services for Pastoralists
Our Team
Engishon stands apart through deep-rooted community trust and long-standing partnerships. Built on years of collaboration with the Pastoral Women’s Council, we work together with the very people we serve, empowering women and youth from within.
Our team of 11 staff and 2 volunteers aren't just familiar with the community; they are part of the community. With firsthand knowledge of the region’s cultural and socio-economic landscape, we deliver solutions that are bold, effective, and truly transformative.