The Background
The Middle East and Africa region is facing a myriad of societal, environmental & economic challenges
Food Insecurity & Water Scarcity
Conflict & Political Instability
Refugees & Displaced Populations
Environmental Erosion
Escalating Poverty Rates since 2010
Lack of Education
Food Insecurity & Water Scarcity
Conflict & Political Instability
Refugees & Displaced Populations
Environmental Erosion
Escalating Poverty Rates since 2010
Lack of Education
The Problem
Early-stage social enterprises in the Middle East and Africa region, particularly women-owned, find themselves in a precarious position, having exhausted avenues for accessing funding opportunities, such as grants and financial support from family and friends, as they strive to secure the sustenance and expansion of their enterprises.
Access to finance is a challenge for most social enterprises across MEA and there is a lack of customized and suitable financing instruments. They also lack effective linkages with domestic and global markets due to the lack of market infrastructure for impact-seeking enterprises.
Furthermore, they have yet to reach the growth and maturity levels that would capture more commercial funders and impact investors’ interest.
Early-stage social enterprises in the Middle East and Africa region, particularly women-owned, find themselves in a precarious position, having exhausted avenues for accessing funding opportunities, such as grants and financial support from family and friends, as they strive to secure the sustenance and expansion of their enterprises.
Access to finance is a challenge for most social enterprises across MEA and there is a lack of customized and suitable financing instruments. They also lack effective linkages with domestic and global markets due to the lack of market infrastructure for impact-seeking enterprises.
Furthermore, they have yet to reach the growth and maturity levels that would capture more commercial funders and impact investors’ interest.
Charity money has one life, but social business money has endless life.
– Muhammad Yunus
More than
of social enterprises fail after year 4-6 mark due to insufficient funding and inadequate financial literacy*
* According to the World Economic Forum
Less than
of Financial Institutions in MENA offer financing solutions to SMEs
Up to
the interest rate charged by loan
sharks
More than
of social enterprises fail after year 4-6 mark due to insufficient funding and inadequate financial literacy*
More than
of social enterprises fail after year 4-6 mark due to insufficient funding and inadequate financial literacy*
* According to the World Economic Forum
Less than
of Financial Institutions in MENA offer financing solutions to SMEs
Up to
the interest rate charged by loan
sharks
More than
of social enterprises fail after year 4-6 mark due to insufficient funding and inadequate financial literacy
Our Solution
To provide financial and non-financial solutions to Middle East and Africa early-stage high-impact women-owned social enterprises (serving in underprivileged communities) with scalable solutions, so they can grow sustainably and strategically and, therefore, become investor-ready for impact investors who seek both financial and impact returns.
$5,000 - $40,000
Collateral Free Loans
0%
Interest Rate
12-18 months
Repayment Period (Customized to align with the unique business models of each enterprise, ensuring a manageable repayment process)
Financial Solution
Women-owned early-stage social enterprise applicants will be selected to receive between $5,000 and $40,000 in the form of a collateral-free loan with a 0% interest rate. To prevent undue financial strain, repayment periods and terms are customized to align with the unique business models of each enterprise, ensuring a manageable repayment process (repayments done on a quarterly/ trimestrial / bi-yearly basis over 12 to 18 months).
The borrowers will also benefit from an intervention-based program highlighting a corrective course of action to avoid specific failures in their revenue and impact models & strategies, mentorship programs, well-being programs, and access to a thriving online community of like-minded women.
The loans will be strictly used to increase sales through equipment & machinery purchasing, raw materials & supplies purchasing, staff hiring, training & development, and digital marketing.
Non-Financial Solution
We Are Aligned with The Sustainable Development Goals
We select early stage women-owned social enterprises serving in underprivileged communities that address environmental and social issues related to sustainable development and economic empowerment. This includes a focus on agribusiness (food security), waste management, ethical & sustainable fashion and affordable & sustainable housing.
At RAMA Impact, we tackle the below SDGs:
NO POVERTY
ZERO HUNGER
GENDER EQUALITY
DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
REDUCED INEQUALITIES
RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
CLIMATE ACTION
NO POVERTY
ZERO HUNGER
GENDER EQUALITY
DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
REDUCED INEQUALITIES
RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
CLIMATE ACTION