Ethiopia: Specialized Financial and Promotional Institution (SFPI)

An urban MFI which expands its activities into rural areas: SFPI is a microfinance institution created in 1997. It operates mainly in and around Addis-Ababa (the capital) through 4 agencies (coordinated by the main office). However, it has equally embarked on a plan aiming to extend outreach to the rural areas. Its first action supporting three women’s organizations in the Oromia region has given encouraging results. Small shopkeepers, craftsmen and farmers are the main recipients of SFPI’s services. An absolute priority is given to women.

The assistance provided by SOS Faim aims at increasing SFPI’s credit funds in order to reach the following objectives:

extending activities to all Addis-Ababa districts as well as into the Oromia and Amhara regions;
encouraging local savings schemes in order to reduce financial dependence from external partners;
reaching financial autonomy by 2007;