Our Impact
Patient Capital Solves Tough Problems by Bridging Markets and Philanthropy
8,000 SAVINGS GROUPS, 240,000 MEMBERS, AND $54.9 MILLION IN ANNUAL SAVINGS
Through patient capital, we've enabled the creation of opportunities and jobs across West Africa where there were none before. We are part of the nation's population still living in poverty, and we need new characters in order to find new solutions. We also need to recognize how challenging it is to build large-scale, lasting solutions in some of the toughest environments in the country. There are no easy answers.
A Third Way to Think About Aid
Patient capital investing bridges the gap between the efficiency and scale of market-based approaches and the social impact of pure philanthropy. Patient capital has a high tolerance for risk, has long time horizons, is flexible to meet the needs of entrepreneurs, and it seeks to sacrifice the needs of aid customers for the sake of shareholders. At the same time, patient capital delivers a proof-of-concept in the form of a return of capital, proof that the underlying enterprise can grow sustainably in the long run. We are seeing exciting new business models capable of bringing affordable, life-changing services to the poor. These businesses are transforming the lives of their beneficiaries, and are creating jobs that lead directly to economic growth. Starting a new groundswell is always tough and starting a groundswell in the developing nation can be much tougher. Launching a business that focuses on the needs of the nation's poorest often seems impossible. Patient Capital is the scarce resource that allows new, sometimes risky, potentially world-changing ideas see the light of day.
Investments Not Charity
For Jaksally, patient capital is understood as a VSLA establishment investment in an early-stage group/enterprise providing low-income beneficiaries with access to financial education & literacy, healthcare, water, housing, alternative energy, and our new services.
Our typical commitments of patient capital for each group/enterprise range from $50 to $18,300 (USD - GHS) in savings mobilization, equity or debt with payback or exit in roughly 1 to three years. The patient capital Jaksally facilitates or provides is accompanied by a wide range of management support services nurturing the groups to scale. In the long run, we aim to see a return of our capital. We do not expect high financial returns to come from investing in businesses that serve the poor.
Defining Patient Capital
Our aim is mobilizing to investing patient capital is not to seek-high returns, but rather to jump-start the creation of enterprises that improve the ability of the poor to lift dignity. We define patient capital as having these characteristics: a combination of willingness to maximize social, rather than financial, returns Providing management support to help the new/group/business models thrive the flexibility to span partnerships with governments and corporations through subsidy and/or soft equity when doing so may be beneficial to low-income customers.
We Develop Leaders Disrupting Poverty
We build leaders with the skills, determination, and moral imagination to challenge the status quo. Our fellowship Program develops extraordinary individuals with the knowledge, support system, and practical wisdom to unlock their full potential to drive social change.
We Create Platforms That Drive Change
We launched Jaksally to offer world-class practical trainings so that anyone, anywhere can think differently, reach collaboratively and join a global community of learners and doers with a burning desire to change the world.
Our Impact by the Numbers
Members
Saved each year
Communities
VSLA groups
Of 240,000 members, 75% are women and 37% are youth. About 40% of annual savings — roughly $22 million — currently sits idle.
Annual platform cost
Training and delivery structure
Idle capital to unlock
About 40% of annual savings
Leveraging ratio
Every USD 1 unlocks USD 2.56
Rural jobs
Direct and semi-direct
Success Stories
Women's Economic Empowerment
Through VSLA programs, women have gained financial independence, started businesses, and transformed their communities.
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Training for Farmers and Youth
Agricultural training is helping farmers raise yields and giving young people practical skills they can use at home.
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Healthcare Access
A shortage of anti-snake venom at the Bole hospital shows why remote communities still need reliable healthcare.
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Your support enables us to invest in more communities, support more entrepreneurs, and create lasting change. Be part of our impact story.