The Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), initiated by the federal government of Nigeria in 2016, has the United Nations acclaim for its significant impact on financial inclusion in the country.
Through initiatives like MarketMoni, FarmerMoni, and TraderMoni, GEEP has empowered over two million Nigerians, with over half of its beneficiaries being women.
This is achieved by providing access to credit and integrating them into formal financial services such as bank accounts and mobile wallets within three years.
Technological innovations in Last-Mile Credit Delivery recognized by the UN
At the 62nd United Nations Commission session in New York, in March 2019, GEEP was lauded for its pioneering efforts in leveraging technological innovations to facilitate the last-mile delivery of credit on a massive scale.
The programme’s success lies in its adoption of a completely digitized loan operation, utilizing Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) as digital collateral to enhance financial inclusion.
Through initiatives like MarketMoni, FarmerMoni, and TraderMoni, GEEP has empowered over two million Nigerians, with over half of its beneficiaries being women.
Additionally, GEEP employs facial recognition technology for de-duplication, GPS-based mapping to profile candidates and identify markets, and extensive data capture to formalize the informal sector.
Recognition for Leadership Excellence
In a related development, Uzoma Nwagba, the Chief Operating Officer of GEEP, was selected as one of 22 emerging African leaders to receive the 2019 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellowship.
This prestigious fellowship, established by the African Leadership Institute (AFLI) in collaboration with Oxford University, aims to identify and nurture young African leaders whose work has had a profound impact on the continent.
Nwagba’s inclusion in the fellowship underscores his pivotal role in spearheading one of the world’s most impactful tech-based SME intervention programs and the largest public microcredit scheme globally.
Ethical Leadership in Action
Before his tenure at GEEP, Nwagba amassed valuable experience, having worked as an Analyst at Goldman Sachs, a Product Manager at Microsoft, and a Senior Associate at African Capital Alliance.
His diverse background reflects a passion for running public institutions with the same ethical principles as businesses, further solidifying his reputation as an influential leader in the field of financial inclusion and economic empowerment.
