Making a difference in East Africa: Oikocredit’s Foteini Katzilaki on our impact in Uganda & Kenya 

Foteini Katzilaki, Global Institutional Fundraiser at Oikocredit, recently embarked on a journey to Uganda and Kenya to visit partners involved in two transformative projects: the Innovative Finance for Improved Livelihoods (IFIL) project and Oikocredit International Foundation’s Enterprise Support Facility (ESF).

Exploring impact: first-hand experiences from the field

Through this trip, Foteini had the opportunity to witness the profound impact of Oikocredit’s support for farmer-based organisations (FBOs) and community-focused enterprises. In this extended interview, she shares detailed insights into her travels, the projects she visited, and the lasting impact of Oikocredit’s work in East Africa. 

Foteini, thank you so much for joining us today! Could you please tell us about the purpose of your recent trip to Uganda and Kenya?

It’s a pleasure to be here! The purpose of my trip was to visit several of Oikocredit’s partner organisations and witness firsthand the tremendous work being done to empower communities in Uganda and Kenya. Specifically, I visited projects supported through two of our key initiatives: the Innovative Finance for Improved Livelihoods (IFIL) project and Oikocredit International Foundation’s Enterprise Support Facility (ESF). 

These projects focus on improving access to finance, building capacity, and supporting sustainable entrepreneurship, with a special emphasis on women, youth, and climate adaptation. The trip provided me with valuable insights into how donor funding, combined with Oikocredit’s expertise in ESG and financing, is making a tangible difference in people’s lives. 

What stood out most to you during your visit to Uganda? 

Uganda was an incredibly rich experience, and so many moments stood out. One that particularly impacted me was our visit to the Namwendwa Maize Farmers Cooperative Society in eastern Uganda. 

The cooperative had received a loan from Oikocredit to purchase maize from farmers and store it until market prices increased. However, they were facing significant challenges, such as fluctuating market prices for maize and the ongoing effects of climate change. 

Despite these setbacks, it was inspiring to see the positive impact of the training they had received. Oikocredit, along with our partner WeEffect, provided gender empowerment training, climate change adaptation training, and financial management courses. 

These sessions helped not just in improving their technical skills but in transforming their leadership approach. I remember the operations manager, Rose, speaking with such confidence about the cooperative’s future. It was clear that the knowledge she gained was helping her envision a more sustainable path forward. This is a great example of how capacity-building goes beyond financial support—it creates lasting empowerment.

What other organisations did you visit, and what impressed you about their work? 

I had the privilege of visiting several other remarkable organisations. For example, the Kyazanga Farmers’ Cooperative Society in central Uganda stands out as a great example of growth and resilience. 

Kyazanga received a loan from Oikocredit through the IFIL project, which they repaid successfully, and subsequently scaled up their operations with another loan from the ESF. 

They work with over 1,000 farmers, of which 644 are women. One of the most impressive aspects of Kyazanga’s work is their partnership with Uganda’s National Meteorological Authority to implement an early warning system. This system sends weather forecasts and alerts via WhatsApp to the farmers, which enables them to make better decisions about planting, irrigation, and disaster preparedness. It’s incredible to see how technology is being leveraged to build resilience in the face of climate change. 

Another inspiring stop was with SmartFundi Solutions in western Uganda. This innovative company is tackling Uganda’s housing deficit by providing low-income families with a Rent-to-Own housing scheme. They received a loan from ESF, which enabled them to build 17 housing units. 

The founder, Isa, is incredibly passionate about using engineering to address housing challenges, and his vision extends beyond construction. He wants to create a digital platform to connect youth with the construction labour market and provide them with training and accreditation. Isa’s entrepreneurial spirit is infectious, and I can see how his work will have a long-term impact on the housing sector. 

Let’s move to the visit to Kihungu Kasebere Cooperative. What were some highlights there? 

The visit to Kihungu Kasebere Cooperative in the Rwenzori Mountains was particularly poignant. This cooperative focuses on coffee production, and they received a loan from Oikocredit to purchase coffee from farmers. Like many of the organisations we visited, they are facing challenges due to climate change.  

However, what really stood out was the innovation and resilience of the members. Many of them, particularly the women, are planting trees to provide shade for the coffee plants, which is a clever climate adaptation strategy. They are also exploring the possibility of adding value to their product by investing in a coffee roasting machine. These initiatives not only address the immediate impacts of climate change. They also provide new avenues for income generation, which is essential for the cooperative’s long-term sustainability. 

How about Kenganzi Agencies? That seems like another amazing success story. 

Kenganzi Agencies in Uganda is truly a remarkable example of how access to finance and support can empower an entire community. Kenganzi works with 500 smallholder farmers, 98.8% of whom are women. 

These farmers are provided with interest-free loans to buy inputs, and they repay the loans in cacao beans. Through a loan from the ESF in 2023, Kenganzi has been able to expand their operations. And in 2024, they received an additional loan to onboard 2,000 more farmers and improve their infrastructure. 

But what really struck me about Kenganzi is the way they’ve empowered women in their community. Angela, the founder, has become a role model and leader. She spearheaded an innovative project to turn cocoa husks into briquettes, which helps the community reduce their reliance on firewood. 

This project was made possible with Oikocredit’s capacity-building interventions, which allowed Angela to expand her vision and build her community’s resilience in the face of environmental challenges. 

During our visit, we were warmly welcomed by the community. And it was clear that Angela is seen not just as a businesswoman but as a beacon of hope. Her work has had a transformative effect on the lives of women farmers. And the impact of her leadership cannot be overstated. 

Let’s move on to your visit to Kenya. What were some key takeaways from that part of the trip? 

Kenya was equally inspiring. One of the highlights was our visit to the Kilalani Farmers Cooperative in Machakos. They had recently completed the development of a borehole with support from Oikocredit. Water is life, as the local saying goes, and this borehole is a lifeline for the farmers. 

It has not only provided them with a reliable source of water for processing coffee. It has also significantly improved the quality of the coffee, which in turn increases its market value. This project shows how something as basic as water can be the key to transforming an entire community’s livelihood. It was also an emotional moment to sit down with the farmers and drink tea made from water from the new borehole. It was a tangible reminder of how vital such resources are. 

What impressed you about the Archbishop Ndingi Mwana’a Nzeki Foundation?

The Archbishop Ndingi Mwana’a Nzeki Foundation in Kenya is doing remarkable work in beekeeping and honey production. They received a loan from Oikocredit to develop their 8-acre farm into a Centre of Excellence for beekeeping. They’ve already purchased 100 beehives, and they’re providing training to local farmers, teaching them how to improve honey production and generate a sustainable income. 

Father Anthony, the dynamic leader of the Foundation, is deeply committed to his community and has great plans to expand into other bee-related products like propolis and beeswax. What impressed me most was their focus on young people. The Foundation is working on involving the next generation in beekeeping, and there’s a lot of potential for growth in the market for honey in Kenya. 

What reflections do you have after this experience, and how does this shape your view of Oikocredit’s role in the region?

This trip reaffirmed my belief in the power of community-driven change. It was clear to me that these organisations, despite the challenges they face, are making incredible strides in empowering local communities. 

Oikocredit’s role is not just about providing financial resources. It’s about enabling these communities to drive their own development through the provision of training, expertise, and financial support. Each organisation I visited is laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and inclusive future, and it’s humbling to be part of that journey. 

What stood out to me is how critical it is for us to continue our fundraising efforts to support these projects. The impact of initiatives like IFIL and ESF is profound. But donor support and subsidized loans are needed for early-stage initiatives until they become financially mature and sustainable. We are not just investing in businesses; we’re investing in people, resilience, and hope for the future. 

And finally, your trip coincided with a truly special and celebratory moment for Oikocredit, didn’t it? How did this add to the overall significance and impact of your visit?

Yes, indeed! My trip coincided with Oikocredit East Africa’s 30th anniversary, marked by an excellent sector experts breakfast meeting in Nairobi. The event brought together distinguished guests from the development finance and development cooperation sectors and was highlighted by the wisdom and forward-looking vision of Dr. Peter Munga, founder of Equity Bank. 

It was truly inspiring to see the trust and respect shown by our partners, which speaks volumes about the exceptional work Oikocredit has been doing for decades. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Caroline Mulwa, Oikocredit’s Regional Director Africa, and the entire East Africa team for their warm welcome! 

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