Economic
Empowerment
Microfinance & Micro-equity
Transforming traditional lending through innovative financial models that prioritize entrepreneurial freedom and sustainable growth.
Transforming traditional lending through innovative financial models that prioritize entrepreneurial freedom and sustainable growth.
At UHAFD, we've reimagined microfinance to address its fundamental limitations. Traditional microfinance often creates debt traps through high interest rates and rigid repayment structures that can undermine the very enterprises they aim to support.
Our approach is radically different. Through our pioneering micro-equity model, we provide capital without the burden of debt, interest payments, or fixed repayment schedules. Instead, we take a minimal equity stake—typically just 1.5%—allowing entrepreneurs to focus on sustainable growth rather than immediate repayment pressures.
This revolutionary model aligns our success with that of the entrepreneur. We only benefit when the business thrives, creating true partnership rather than a creditor-debtor relationship. It's an approach that honors the dignity of entrepreneurs while unleashing their full potential to create jobs, wealth, and positive community impact.
Understanding how our innovative approach creates more sustainable outcomes for entrepreneurs and communities.
Our specialized programs address different needs across regions and entrepreneurial stages.
This dedicated micro-equity program focuses on women-led businesses in sectors with traditionally limited access to capital. Through investments ranging from £5,000 to £250,000, the fund supports women entrepreneurs while addressing gender inequality in business financing.
Focused on agricultural and rural-based businesses, this program combines micro-equity with technical assistance to help enterprises in remote areas scale sustainably. Special emphasis is placed on value-add processes, sustainable practices, and market access.
Supporting young entrepreneurs ages 18-30, this program focuses on tech-enabled ventures and innovative solutions to local challenges. Investment packages include micro-equity funding, incubation support, and access to global mentorship networks.
When Maria Ndlovu approached UHAFD in 2014, she was operating a small market stall in Harare, Zimbabwe, selling handmade soaps made from local ingredients. While her products were popular, she lacked the capital to scale production beyond what she could make by hand.
Traditional banks had rejected her loan applications, and local microfinance institutions offered terms that would have required her to begin repayments immediately at 32% interest—making meaningful expansion impossible.
Through our Women Entrepreneurs Fund, UHAFD provided a £35,000 micro-equity investment with our standard 1.5% equity stake and no repayment requirements. This allowed Maria to lease a small production facility, purchase equipment, and hire three employees.
Today, Ndlovu Natural Products employs 47 people, primarily women from rural communities, and exports organic bath and beauty products to six countries. The company maintains strict fair trade and sustainability practices while generating over £1.2 million in annual revenue.
"UHAFD didn't just give me capital—they gave me freedom. Without loan payments hanging over my head, I could make decisions based on what was best for long-term growth, not short-term cash flow. That made all the difference." — Maria Ndlovu, Founder & CEO
Since 2010, our micro-equity programs have created substantial economic opportunity across the globe.
Entrepreneurs funded
Total micro-equity deployed
Five-year business survival rate
Jobs created
Our funding process is designed to be accessible while ensuring that resources go to ventures with the best potential for sustainable growth and impact.
Submit your business information and funding needs through our online portal
Our team evaluates your application against our core criteria (typically 2-3 weeks)
For shortlisted ventures, we conduct a deeper assessment, including site visits when possible
Final decisions are made, equity agreements are signed, and funding is disbursed
Your contribution to our Micro-equity Fund helps provide interest-free, non-repayable capital to entrepreneurs who need it most, creating lasting economic change in underserved communities.
Every contribution to our Micro-equity Fund goes directly to supporting entrepreneurs with no administrative fees deducted. Here's the impact your support can make:
Funds inventory expansion for a small retail business
Enables equipment purchase for a manufacturing venture
Supports facility expansion creating 5-10 new jobs
Launches a community-scale enterprise serving thousands
"Every dollar invested in micro-equity creates approximately £12 in economic value within the local community."