About Fsd kenya
FSD Kenya: Driving Financial Inclusion for Sustainable Development
The Financial Sector Deepening Kenya (FSD Kenya) is a non-profit organization that aims to promote financial inclusion in the country. Established in 2005, FSD Kenya has been working tirelessly to create an inclusive financial system that supports the long-term development goals of the nation.
FSD Kenya works closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies, financial service providers, and other partners to develop innovative solutions that address real-world challenges faced by low-income households, small businesses, and underserved groups such as women and youth.
The organization's mission is to drive sustainable economic growth by expanding access to affordable financial services for all Kenyans. FSD Kenya believes that access to finance is a fundamental right and an essential tool for poverty reduction and economic empowerment.
To achieve its objectives, FSD Kenya focuses on four key areas:
1. Market Development: FSD Kenya works with stakeholders across the financial sector value chain to identify market gaps and opportunities. The organization then develops interventions aimed at addressing these gaps through research, innovation, capacity building, policy advocacy among others.
2. Innovation: FSD Kenya promotes innovation in the financial sector by supporting research into new products or services that can improve access or reduce costs of existing ones. The organization also provides funding for pilot projects aimed at testing new ideas before they are scaled up.
3. Policy Advocacy: As an independent trust dedicated to promoting inclusive finance in the country; FDS advocates for policies that support greater access to finance especially among low-income households and small businesses.
4.Capacity Building: To ensure sustainability of its interventions; FDS invests heavily in building capacity within organizations it partners with so as they can continue providing quality services even after their partnership ends
FDS has achieved significant milestones since its inception over a decade ago. For instance:
- It has supported over 100 research projects on various aspects of inclusive finance, generating valuable insights that have informed policy and practice in the sector.
- It has facilitated the development of innovative financial products such as mobile money, which has revolutionized access to finance for millions of Kenyans.
- It has supported the growth of microfinance institutions, SACCOs and other financial service providers by providing technical assistance, capacity building and funding.
- It has played a key role in shaping policies that promote financial inclusion such as the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (2019 - 2023).
FSD Kenya's impact on Kenya's financial sector is undeniable. The organization's interventions have contributed significantly to expanding access to finance for low-income households, small businesses, women and youth. FSD Kenya continues to work towards its vision of an inclusive financial system that supports sustainable economic growth for all Kenyans.