About the project

About FIRIP

A seven-year initiative of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and IFAD, expanding inclusive rural finance through the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

Overview

Who we are

The Financial Inclusion for Resilience and Innovation Project (FIRIP) is a seven-year initiative supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ), with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning as the lead implementing agency. Building on the achievements of its predecessor, the Rural Finance Expansion Programme (RUFEP), FIRIP adopts a demand-driven approach to strengthen the delivery capacity of Financial Service Providers (FSPs) and to improve the enabling environment for inclusive rural finance.

target

Project Goal

To improve rural livelihoods through increased resilience and inclusive sustainable growth.

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Project Development Objective

To support improved access to and use of financial services to strengthen resilience and green growth of rural production systems, value chains, and livelihoods of poor rural men, women, and youth.

Where we work

Focus Areas

FIRIP delivers its objective through three project components and a set of cross-cutting thematic areas - digital financial services and community-based finance - that shape how every component is implemented.

Project Components arrow_forward Thematic Areas

Who we serve

Target Groups

FIRIP aims to reach 370,100 households and create 54,599 new jobs. At least 40 percent of beneficiaries will be women, and 30 percent will be youths.

370,100

Households reached

54,599

New jobs created

40%

Beneficiaries who are women

30%

Beneficiaries who are youths

Category 1

Semi-subsistence smallholder farmers and rural microenterprises.

Category 2

Market-oriented smallholder farmers and microenterprises.

Category 3

Emergent farmers and rural SMEs.

The people behind FIRIP

Our Project Team

Meet the specialists coordinating the Financial Inclusion for Resilience and Innovation Project across Zambia.

Mr. Derrick M. Simukoko

Project Coordinator

Dr. Olive C. Darris

Financial Controller

Ms. Susan Choolwe

Gender, Youth and Social Inclusion Specialist

Ms. Rachael C. Phiri

Rural Finance Specialist (Agri/SME/Green/Climate/Value Chain)

Mr. Kapansa Sikazwe

Rural Finance Specialist (Digital/Community Finance)

Mrs. Brenda L. Simainga

Environment and Climate Adaptation Specialist

Mrs. Womba K. Phiri

Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management Officer

Mr. Friday Mumba

Procurement Specialist

Mr. Bunda Mukupo

Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management Assistant Officer