In rural Malawi, opportunities for economic empowerment are often limited, but members of M'bwazi women group have defied these challenges with the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) Limited loans.
Elifa Letiya, who lives in Mitundu Lilongwe district, Kanyumbu village, Traditional Authority Masula, benefitted from NEEF loans twice. Initially, she operated a small tea room, serving tea and freshly baked scones to local customers. However, faced with challenges in expanding her business, she sought support by applying for a NEEF group loan to help fuel its growth.
"I have been struggling at home to provide for my family, but when I realized that I could start baking scones, I started that business. It was difficult for my business to grow, so I borrowed MK500,000 from NEEF under M'bwazi women group. The loan made it easier for me to purchase large quantities of flour for my business, which in turn generated higher profits,” said Letiya.
Upon successfully repaying her first loan, Letiya applied for another loan worth MK1,000,000 and decided to invest it in irrigation farming planting maize, tomatoes, and Irish potatoes. "I'm happy to say that this loan has helped me a lot. I am now regarded as a reliable person in our community. I am getting ready to harvest my crops by December and I expect to have almost fifty bags of maize,” said Letiya.
NEEF is not only fostering entrepreneurship but also contributing to broader community development. The Funds work is helping to break the cycle of poverty, ensuring women have the tools and resources to succeed and thrive.