VSLA federations
VSLF – Federations of Savings Groups as a way of financial inclusion in East Africa – get the newest learnings from ADRA Uganda/Denmark and Dutabarane/Baptist Union Denmark
Description:
From savings groups to stronger financial structures:
Experiences with how VSLAs can evolve into federations (VSLFs) that pool capital, strengthen governance and enable larger, more productive investments.
Experiences with how VSLAs can evolve into federations (VSLFs) that pool capital, strengthen governance and enable larger, more productive investments.
ADRA and Dutabarane/Baptist Union Denmark have piloted federations of savings groups – Village Savings and Loan Federations in Uganda and Burundi – and will share learning on:
- What functions VSLFs can realistically take on at this stage – including how they enable larger investments in agribusiness, value addition and climate-resilient livelihoods
- How VSLFs support coordination, governance and peer learning across VSLAs
- Why some groups perform better than others – the role of governance, leadership and trust beyond capital alone
- Cross-cutting perspectives on gender and digitalisation
- The potential (and limits) of VSLFs in accessing larger finance and their role in linking to formal financial systems
- Emerging perspectives on future roles – including market linkages and value chain development
The webinar will explore what it takes for VSLFs to function in practice, and look ahead at how such structures may evolve over time. FAHU Foundation has supported ADRA and BAptist Union in developing the projects:
VSLF approach intro_ADRA Denmark
Empowering entrepreneurial farmers in Rwamwanja and Kyaka refugee settlements
Dutabarane DFM VSLF
VSLF and next step_ADRA Uganda_George William
VSLF_REAL Project_ADRA Uganda_Jerry
DSG-Hub Blog Post ADRA Denmark 2026