MicroLoan Foundation – Who We Are

At MicroLoan Foundation, we are a UK-based social microfinance charity committed to empowering women living in poverty across sub-Saharan Africa. We work primarily in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, supporting women in some of the most underserved and remote communities.

We believe in giving hope, not handouts. Our goal is to equip women with the tools, confidence, and financial resources they need to build sustainable livelihoods and create lasting change for themselves and their families.

Our Mission

We envision a world where every woman, regardless of her circumstances, has the opportunity to build a better future.

What We Do

We operate a social microfinance model that combines small, affordable business loans with hands-on training and mentorship.

We provide:

• Small loans to women who do not have access to traditional banking services.

• Business and financial literacy training before and during the loan cycle, covering budgeting, saving, profit-making, and business planning.

• Peer support groups, where women encourage and hold one another accountable.

• Our training methods are designed to be accessible to women with low literacy levels, often using participatory approaches such as discussion, storytelling, and role-play.

• Once loans are repaid, the funds are recycled to support other women in the community, creating a sustainable and scalable impact model.

Our Impact

Through our work, women are able to start or grow small businesses - such as farming ventures, market stalls, tailoring, hairdressing, or retail. As their income increases, families benefit through improved food security, better access to healthcare, and more consistent education for their children.

We work directly within rural communities, with our Loan & Training Officers travelling long distances to reach women who would otherwise be financially excluded. We focus on women because we know that when women succeed, families and entire communities thrive.