Problem:‍

Youth and women entrepreneurs in informal settlements in developing countries lack access to financial products tailored to their income patterns, goals, and financial behaviours, limiting effective financial inclusion and uptake of SACCO services.

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Solution/Outcome:‍

We conducted Human-Centered Design (HCD) research to understand user needs and co-designed digital financial product concepts aligned to SHOFCO SACCO’s inclusion and digital transformation strategy. Clickable prototypes were tested in-person using the Wizard of Oz approach on Maze and iteratively refined into flexible loan and goal-based savings products. 

The engagement generated actionable user personas and insights that informed SHOFCO SACCO’s product iteration and service design, strengthening its capacity to develop more inclusive, user-centred financial solutions.