The following is a list of Uwezo Fund loan products available in Kenya.
Uwezo Fund is a government empowerment fund that was established in 2014 under The Public Finance Management (Uwezo Fund) Regulations. The Fund was designed to address the socioeconomic empowerment of women, youth, and people with disabilities by increasing access to credit to help them start and grow their businesses.
Furthermore, the Fund enhances capability in order to establish strong and sustainable firms across all constituencies. The Fund hopes to achieve an equitable social-economic transformation of adolescents, women, and people with disabilities through this.
The Fund is a revolving fund, with activities centered on constituencies. The Fund’s goals are as follows:
- To increase access to credit for youth, women, and people with disabilities at the constituency level for the development of businesses and enterprises;
- To create productive self-employment opportunities for young people and women; and
- To serve as a model for a different approach to funding community-driven development activities.
The following is a list of Uwezo Fund loan products and a highlight of eligibility criteria, how to apply, and repayment procedures.
Uwezo Fund Loan Products In Kenya
1. Wezesha Loan For First-Time Borrowers
Wezesha is a constituency-based loan designed to help first-time borrowers finance their projects and businesses. The loan amount ranges from Kshs. 50,000 to Kshs. 100,000.
Eligibility
- The group must be registered with the appropriate government agency and have a valid group registration certificate.
- Group membership must follow the guidelines established by the registration entity.
- Youth groups must have at least one member. 70% youth (18-35 years old) and 100% youth leadership. Women make up 70% of women’s groups, and women make up 100% of leadership positions. 70% PWDs and 100% PWDs in leadership.
- The applicant group must request a loan from the constituency, be evaluated, and have funds recommended by the appropriate Constituency Uwezo Fund Management Committees (CUFMCs).
How to Apply
- Fill out the Uwezo Fund loan application form, available nationwide at constituency offices.
- Submit the completed form to the constituency office where you want to get the loan.
- Attach all required attachments as specified on the form.
- The Constituency Uwezo Fund Management Committee will notify you of the vetting and approval statuses.
Repayment
- Following a six-month grace period expiration, the loan is repayable in 12 months.
- Repayment must be made in monthly installments to the corresponding constituency loan repayment accounts by direct deposit or paybill.
- Members of the group must sign a guarantee or pledge to repay the debt.
Read also, Rafiki Microfinance Bank Loan Products
2. Endeleza Loan For Repeat Borrowers
This is a loan product for repeat borrowers/subsequent funding, with an incremental percentage ranging from 150 to 200% of the first loan, but not exceeding Kshs 500,000.
Eligibility
- Repaid the loan and proved good use of the Wezesha loan.
- Evidence of the potential for growth and employment generation.
- The group must be registered with the appropriate government agency and have a valid group registration certificate.
- Group membership must follow the guidelines established by the registration institution.
- Group membership must be at least 70% youth (18-35 years) for youth groups and 100% youth for leadership. Women make up 70% of women’s groups, and women make up 100% of leadership positions. PWDs make up 70% of the workforce, while leadership makes up 100% of the workforce.
- The applicant group must be from the constituency and must be evaluated and endorsed by the respective CUFMCs.
How To Apply
- Fill out the Uwezo Fund loan application, available nationwide at constituency offices.
- Submit the completed form to the constituency office where you want to get the loan.
- Attach a discharge certificate for the fulfillment of the initial loans.
- The Constituency Uwezo Fund Management Committee will notify you of the vetting and approval statuses.
Repayment
- The loan repayment period begins after a 30-day grace period from the date of issuance.
- The loan will be repaid in 12, 18, and 24 equal installments proportionate to the amount borrowed.
- Repayments must be made in monthly installments to the corresponding constituency loan repayment accounts by direct deposit or paybill.
- Members of the group must sign a guarantee/undertaking to repay the debt.
Uwezo Fund Contacts
Lonrho House, 16th Floor, Standard Street, Nairobi
General Line: 0776 154 204
Hotline: 0776 154 210
Complaints: 0776 154 210
Email: info@uwezo.go.ke,
complaints@uwezo.go.ke,
programmes@uwezo.go.ke
