Back to the news
ASSILASSIME is a microfinance institution with a very strong social foundation. Founded by Entrepreneurs du Monde, it targets individuals in situations of exclusion and/or extreme poverty who have very little access to traditional microfinance services. The institution offers adapted financial products and socio-economic training on economic activity management, family budgeting, health, and gender issues.
Togo is a low-income country facing numerous development challenges. It ranks 162nd out of 189 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI), with an HDI of 0.512 and a poverty rate of nearly 50%. Microfinance institutions play an essential role there by financing the informal economy and strengthening financial inclusion.
ASSILASSIME requires neither collateral nor guarantees and offers low entry thresholds. The institution operates in a market segment that is little or not at all served by other microfinance institutions. It thus targets highly vulnerable populations in a fragile country.
In addition to targeting highly vulnerable populations, ASSILASSIME pays particular attention to the financial inclusion of women, who represent 90% of the institution’s beneficiaries. Furthermore, products and services complementary to credit—specifically access to savings, group training, and individual support—provide significant added value to beneficiaries. Approximately 30% of ASSILASSIME beneficiaries have access to quality healthcare through the health mutual fund established in 2023 with the support of the NGO.
