Restoring Family Coffee Farms
Juan’s leadership revitalized local coffee production.
Latin America + Caribbean
September 28, 2026
One of our Nigerian partners noticed their customers were losing work hours (and income) to go to the bank. Entrepreneurs like Amina and John had to leave their businesses during the workday to withdraw cash or complete other transactions. Determined to craft a solution, Peak Empowerment and Development Foundation (PEAK) teamed up with Partners Worldwide to launch their new Rural Digital Financial Solution (RDFS).
PEAK’s RDFS equips rural users to make secure banking transactions from their mobile phones—it doesn’t even require an internet connection! With interfaces in local languages and training sessions in digital literacy, the RDFS democratizes banking services for rural entrepreneurs—entrepreneurs like Amina and John.
For Amina, digital saving means peace of mind.
Although Amina sold food at the local market, financial hardships meant her family often skipped meals. Amina lacked the capital to stock her food stand with crayfish, stockfish, and other essential cooking ingredients. Low inventory meant low sales, which meant her family went hungry.
Amina’s challenges are common in her community, particularly among women. Today, just 6% of Nigerian women have access to credit. This exclusion limits agency and makes it hard for entrepreneurs like Amina to stand on their own feet.
Things changed when Amina learned about PEAK from one of her customers. There, she learned best practices in business management and how to use PEAK’s new Rural Digital Financial Solution (RDFS). RDFS means Amina doesn’t have to carry cash or rely on informal ways of saving, ensuring her money is never lost or stolen.
“Before, I kept my money in a bowl,” Amina said. “Now, I just save it on my phone.”
Equipped with training, tools, and a loan of approximately $172 USD, Amina began to buy in bulk, leading to a growth in sales and her customer base. Amina’s household is now food secure—and she’s providing her community with easy access to quality ingredients at fair prices. Looking ahead, Amina has the knowledge and confidence to further expand her business, hoping to eventually open a shop where she can hire employees.
For John, RDFS save hours of travel time, helping him serve more customers and grow his business.
As the owner of a pharmacy, John supplied medicine to his community. But without the capital necessary to keep his shelves stocked, he struggled to afford food, provide for his parents, and keep his doors open. Along with cash flow to keep his business running, John needed a way to transfer money without closing his store for hours on end.
One day, a PEAK field agent stopped by and explained their services. John knew this was his chance.
Equipped with business training and a loan of approximately $200, John had what he needed to ensure his store is always stocked. Further, PEAK’s RDFS saved him hours of travel each week.
“Before RDFS, I had to travel far to send money,” John said. “Now I do everything right here in my shop.”
Today, a steady income means John can afford regular meals, meet his daily needs, and support his parents. He even saves part of his earnings in his PEAK savings account—available right there on his phone—giving him more financial security. John plans to employ staff to support his pharmacy’s growing operations.
From Inclusion to Market Transformation
With RDFS, financial inclusion is no longer a dream. It's happening one trader at a time. Through investments in relationships, innovative tools, and long-term support, 3,000+ rural women now have access to digital banking. These new tools are empowering women in agriculture, connecting buyers and sellers, and bridging a gap between entrepreneurs and the market. And they’re just one part of a larger effort.
Across the Partners Worldwide network, our partners are developing exciting innovations that drive redemption, accelerate change, and connect entrepreneurs to markets.
