Mali and Burkina Faso are two of the poorest countries in West Africa and the world. 10% of the population in these countries suffers from malnutrition, approximately one in three children are underweight, and life expectancy is only about 50 years.

Agriculture is the primary economic activity for 80-90% of the labor force in each country, but a semi-arid climate and the lack of irrigation infrastructure constrain productivity. A lack of employment options in the off-season (up to six months of the year when people cannot work the fields), and high food prices also contribute to the ongoing cycle of poverty. In recent years, erratic rainfall patterns have threatened the livelihoods of millions and worsened food shortages in the region. With limited access to financial resources, advanced technology, or vibrant markets that would extend economic opportunity to the poorest households, families are locked in subsistence-level activities–with each day a struggle for survival.

In the communities where Trickle Up works, close to 80% of the population lives on less than $1.25 a day. Although these communities face significant obstacles to moving out of poverty, Trickle Up has established a successful track record of raising income levels and improving quality of life for the poorest of the poor.

Trickle Up’s West Africa field office is based in Sévaré, Mali. Our local team works closely with a network of partner agencies implementing our programs in Mali and Burkina Faso. These partners are locally-based non-governmental organizations with expert knowledge of community dynamics, market contexts, and the regulatory environment. They undergo a rigorous training process and receive regular support from our regional field office staff, which prepares them to implement Trickle Up’s program and bolsters their capacity to support and increase microenterprise development in a region presently underserved.

• Microenterprise training: The training provided to all Trickle Up participants covers several important aspects of launching and managing a new enterprise, such as conducting a market survey, handling competition, and calculating expenses, sales, and profit. In Mali and Burkina Faso, the majority of our program participants use their Trickle Up seed capital grant to launch small trade or retail activities. Trainings incorporate strategies for teaching individuals with little or no literacy or numeracy skills, typically a large number of our participants.

• Seed capital disbursement: Trickle Up field and partner staff disburse the first installment of the Spark Grant, 80% of the total grant sum, following delivery of business training to participants. Staff disburse the remaining 20% about three months later, allowing participants to re-inject working capital into their livelihood activity, typically expanding or diversifying it. Trickle Up’s practice of providing seed capital grants, rather than microloans, is one of the distinguishing features of our program. Risk-free seed capital enables participants to direct income from their new microenterprises towards essential household needs, savings, and business investments, helping them reach a level of financial stability at which they might productively be able to access and use a loan.

• Savings group formation: In West Africa, Trickle Up has developed an extensive savings model in which savings groups, called Business Development Savings Funds, serve a variety of essential functions. Membership in a savings group allows program participants to save weekly, as well as access loans repayable at interest rates set by the group (usually between 0 and 10%). Members also receive training in financial management skills related to savings, managing loans, and making investments. Importantly, groups build a community of peers that provide support and share best practices related to business development and other challenges participants are facing in their lives.

Since 2004, Trickle Up has reached 23,712 participants in Mali and Burkina Faso, impacting the lives of 118,560 people (for an average of 5 people benefiting from each Trickle Up participant).

• 86% of participants increased their income after one year (Mali)
  
  
• 93% reported expanding their business as compared to one year before (Mali)
  
  
• 88% report eating three meals per day (after three years in Mali)
  
  
• 99% report their lives have improved (Mali and Burkina Faso)
  
  
• 81% took out a loan with 92% using loans to create or grow their business (Mali)
  
  
• 54% of savings and credit groups created a "social fund" to support members during times of hardship (Mali)