Women in Ejemekwuru and Akabor Autonomous Communities in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State will on Monday, November 2, 2026 commence Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA), popularly known as Village Banking.
The initiative is an outcome of a three-day capacity-building training on Entrepreneurship, Small Business Management and Village Savings and Loans Association Fundamentals organised by Communal Care Centre (CCC), a non-governmental organisation implementing the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project Nigeria (RWVL-N) in Imo State. The project is sponsored by ActionAid Nigeria and funded by Global Affairs Canada.
Addressing participants at the training, the Executive Director of Communal Care Centre Mrs Colette Bennett explained that the programme was designed to equip women with relevant knowledge and skills, that would improve their savings culture and help them to access loans within their circle at very minimal interest rate to startup a business or expand their existing businesses. She added that It would also help improve the overall well-being of women and their households.
Mrs Bennett stressed the importance of empowering women to attain financial independence and contribute meaningfully to society, urging the women to take advantage of the rare opportunity.
She maintained that the organisation would continue to build the capacity of Women in entrepreneurship and financial literacy, to help the women become financially responsible, independent and resilient.
Speaking in an interview the newly elected Chairperson of Ejemekwuru Women VSLA group, Mrs Ulumma Vivian Achunine who emerged through a transparent electoral process during the training, expressed gratitude to Communal Care Centre for considering the women of the community worthy beneficiaries of the initiative.
She described the training as impactful, noting that it would equip women with the knowledge and skills to expand their businesses, increase their income and improve their standard of living. Mrs Achunine said the initiative would also help reduce hunger and domestic violence, assuring that the women had embraced the Village Savings and Loan Association model.
She further disclosed that plans were underway to establish more VSLA groups within one year to expand the programme’s reach.
In his presentation, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of Communal Care Centre, Prince Chimezie Okoro highlighted the importance of Solidarity Group and literacy volunteers to support members of the VSLA group who are not educated.
He explained that the scheme operates through seven interconnected steps, including group formation, weekly savings and loans, record keeping, end-of-cycle share-out and dividends, as well as linkages and growth. According to him, the process promotes financial discipline, collective responsibility and social development, enabling members to grow together economically and socially.
Welcoming participants earlier, the representative of the traditional ruler of Ejemekwuru Autonomous Community, Nze Nicholas Onwuzurigbo, who stood in for HRH Eze Hypolite Duru urged the women to demonstrate commitment towards achieving the objectives of the training. He also pledged the community’s support in providing a conducive environment for the successful implementation of the programme.
Similarly, Prince Chigozie Ndukwu representing the traditional ruler of Akabor Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Nkemjika O. Ubah (Aka 1 of Akabor) commended the organizers for prioritising women’s welfare and economic empowerment. He noted that initiatives such as the Village Savings and Loans Association would strengthen women’s economic independence and improve their contributions to community development.
Stanley Okehie
Communications Officer, CCC
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