Lega app downloaded through Google Play store, features different modules on financial literacy.
It was developed through the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) under a program designed to extend financial services to refugees and Rwandans in the camp’s neighborhood.
The application ‘Lenga’ targets people who wish to build skills in creating savings plans, drawing a budget, understanding different types of savings groups, comparing financial services, and deciding whether to borrow.
The app currently has six modules that target the financial and digital skills.It includes both video and audio content with quizzes and activities, along with demonstrations and explanations of key content areas like creating one’s own budget, using mobile money products safely, or thinking about one’s own capacity to borrow money.
UNCDF in collaboration with Umutanguha Microfinance Ltd have trained over 300 people from Mahama camp to use the application.
To ensure a successful training, UNCDF partnered with Umutanguha Microfinance Ltd donated 10 tablets to ten trainers who had to extend digital financial literacy skills to all dwellers of Kigeme camp through segmented groups.
Initially, residents were enlightened on benefits of working with financial institutions, how to efficiently spend their money for income generating activities as well as recording business transactions.
Immaculée Kayitesi, one of trainees said that the training changed mindsets on financial services.
“After receiving training on digital financial literacy, efficient funds management through Lenga application, we and neighbours witnessed improved livelihoods. We realized that making a step forward to use Lenga changes individual and families’ livelihoods,” she said.
“We were trained on efficient funds management, budget planning, saving techniques, saving in groups, financial institution or phone and needed preparations to borrow money,” Kayitesi added.
Communications & Programme Analyst at UNCDF, Emile Ndayambaje has told IGIHE that the project was designed to enlighten people on financial services, how tehya re integrated with technology and how to make savings using digital means among others.
“After receiving training on digital financial services, beneficiaries no longer need to walk long distances to access services. We have witnessed this particularly before the onset of COVID-19. We conducted sensitizations on financial services that attracted a large number of people and enhanced financial services penetration,” he noted.
Ndayambaje revealed that UNCDF plans to roll out the technology to more citizens across the country to facilitate access to financial services.
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The recent event to celebrate achievements since the Lenga app was unveiled coincided with the launch of a new branch of Umutanguha Microfinance Ltd in Kigeme cell, Gasaka sector of Nyamagabe district.
The Manager of Umutanguha Microfinance Ltd, in Gasarenda of Nyamagabe district, Emmanuel Gumyusenge has told IGIHE that opening the new branch is part of ambitions to enhance access to financial services.
“We have more than 17,000 clients in Nyamagabe. Of these, nearly 3000 live in Kigeme. We have opened the branch to facilitate access to financials services for refugees in Kigeme camp and residents in surrounding communities,” he said.
The management of Umutanguha Microfinace Ltd in Gasarenda has revealed that more than 1000 residents have already acquired loans after the training on financial literacy.
Nyamagabe district vice mayor for economic development, Thaddée Habimana thanked partners including UNCDF for supporting Rwandans and refugees to spur their economic growth.
“It helps residents to run income generating businesses. Receiving the training on financial services helps them to work with financial institutions, acquire loans and design projects instead of heavily relying on UNHCR support,” he explained.
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