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BEYOND BUSINESS: JAWABU BIASHARA’S COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

By Cynthia Achieng

In an era where businesses are increasingly expected to do more than just generate profits, Jawabu Biashara stands out as an exemplary force in social and economic transformation. As the lender   heads into its sixth year of operation, it reflects on its growth, resilience, and the profound impact it has made within communities. Under the astute leadership of Mr. Charles Njoroge, founder and Managing Director, Jawabu Biashara has emerged as a beacon of innovation and responsible lending in Kenya’s financial landscape.

Jawabu Biashara was founded with a clear vision: to provide sustainable solutions that empower communities and transform lives. According to Mr. Njoroge, the inspiration behind starting Jawabu came from recognizing the need for accessible, affordable, and effective financial   solutions that could alleviate the challenges faced by households, especially those in rural areas. The name “Jawabu” was chosen for its profound meaning. It means ‘answer’ in Kiswahili, symbolizing the company’s commitment to being a solution provider. By naming the business Jawabu, the founder  wanted to embody its  mission of being  an  answer to  the challenges  its   customers face  –    delivering innovative solutions that meet the needs of today’s society and promote lasting change.

Resilient

From its inception, Jawabu Biashara   has demonstrated remarkable resilience, navigating through challenges that have tested its resolve and capacity to grow. The journey has not always been smooth, but the lender’s dedication to its mission has kept it steadfast. Whether facing economic fluctuations, competition in the market, or the unforeseen disruptions brought about by global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, Jawabu has emerged stronger each time. This resilience is not only a testament to the strategic leadership of its team, but also to the unwavering belief in its   purpose: empowering communities with transformative financial solutions. The commitment to adapting, innovating, and maintaining strong relationships with customers and partners has allowed Jawabu to weather challenges   and continue its upward trajectory.

The year 2024 has been marked by remarkable milestones for Jawabu Biashara. The lender’s   ability to not only weather the storm during the COVID-19 pandemic but to also emerge stronger, is a testament to its resilience and forward-thinking approach. The challenges posed by the pandemic, along with the economic and social uncertainties brought by the 2022 general   elections, tested the strength of many businesses. Yet, Mr. Njoroge’s strategic focus and the unwavering commitment of the Jawabu team turned these obstacles into opportunities.

“Surviving COVID – 19   and navigating through the post-election period have been significant achievements for us. We have come out of these challenges with a more robust balance sheet and a stronger network of partners. This growth positions us for an even brighter future,” Mr. Njoroge reflects.  These achievements underscore Jawabu’s commitment to fostering financial inclusion and community empowerment, ensuring that the lessons learned from past adversities fuel future success.

Jawabu Biashara head office team.

The core of Jawabu’s mission

Transforming lives through clean energy is at the heart of Jawabu’s mission. One of its major    initiatives in 2024 has been its push towards clean energy solutions. With a keen focus on biogas technology, the lender   has empowered communities to shift from traditional, environmentally harmful energy sources to cleaner and more sustainable alternatives. This transition is not just about environmental benefits; it’s about transforming lives in the grassroots level.

“The transformation we have seen in our customers has been truly inspiring. Moving from the reliance of firewood to adopting biogas solutions has elevated both the urban and rural communities. The impact is not only visible in the improved quality of life, but also in the financial and health benefits that come with clean energy,” Mr. Njoroge emphasizes.

The company’s innovative approach to clean   energy solutions has bridged the gap between urban and   rural communities, ensuring equitable access to technology. This has helped clarify the notion that modern energy solutions are only accessible to urban populations, showcasing Jawabu’s commitment to creating a level playing field.

Empowering staff as the foundation of success

Jawabu’s success would be incomplete without acknowledging the critical role played by its dedicated team.  Mr. Njoroge consistently emphasizes the lender’s human capital as being the greatest asset. “Our team works tirelessly to engage with our customers and train them on how to effectively utilize the solutions we provide, and support them through every stage of the lending process,” he notes.

His   commitment to employee development has not only fostered a culture of excellence, but has also led to a cycle of positive referrals and feedback. “Our staff’s dedication and the personal touch they bring to our customers have led to a significant number of referrals. Customers trust us because they see that we genuinely care about their progress,” he   adds.

As Mr. Samuel Gaita, the chief executive   officer emphasizes, Jawabu Biashara’s success lies in the dedication of its staff.  “Jawabu could not have   succeeded   without our members of staff; we have a strong   team that works closely with our customers. They go out there, train our customers, give them loans, and walk along with them to ensure that there are no repayment challenges,” he says.  “Jawabu is an institution that does responsible lending, because we want to ensure that once we disburse a loan to a customer, we also train them so that   they can utilize the loan well   and repay it successfully,” he adds.

Mr. Samuel Gaita, Chief Executive Officer, Jawabu Biashara.

The lender’s   responsible lending model ensures that customers are equipped with the knowledge to manage their loans effectively, creating a sustainable cycle of empowerment. By combining financial support with education, Jawabu has managed to break down barriers that often hinder the success of micro, small and medium enterprises.

Expansion and Vision for 2025 and beyond

Jawabu Biashara’s ambitious goal for 2025 reflects the company’s commitment to scaling its operations and reaching more customers. Going by its   strategic vision, the lender is focusing on having a presence majority counties within Kenya. This growth is not only for the sake of expansion but for the transformative impact that increased accessibility to financial solutions can bring. “We want to increase our visibility and presence majority counties to touch more lives and empower even more Kenyans,”says Mr. Njoroge. “The goal is to ensure that our growth aligns with our mission of creating a more inclusive and equitable society,” he adds.

Beyond the physical expansion, Jawabu is focused on enhancing its digital capabilities to meet the ever   evolving needs of its customers. The future of financial services, as Mr. Njoroge    pointed out is digital. To that end, Jawabu is committed to blending technology with human interaction. “While digital solutions are a powerful tool for reaching more people, we must remember that a personal touch remains essential,” he says. This approach aims at merging the efficiency of the digital processes with the empathy of face to face engagement, ensuring that customers are supported both online and offline.

Giving back to the community

A cornerstone at Jawabu’s operations is its dedication to corporate social responsibility. The company allocates 2.5% of its profits towards community initiatives, reinforcing its belief that success should be shared. These efforts include donating water tanks to schools and assisting vulnerable families within the communities it serves. “We’ve learned that thriving as a business means supporting those who have supported us,” Mr. Njoroge explains. “Our commitment to giving back to the community is a key pillar of our strategy for long term growth,” he adds.

This ‘communities-first’ approach fosters mutual trust and strengthens the relationships between Jawabu and the people it serves. It embodies the company’s vision of symbiotic partnership with communities that goes beyond transactions and deepens the societal ties.

A future built on trust, innovation, and empowerment

As Jawabu Biashara looks to 2025 and beyond, its strategic focus remains empowering and transforming lives through innovative financial solutions and sustainable energy access. With a strong foundation built on resilience, dedicated staff, and a commitment to community empowerment, Jawabu is poised to gain market   leadership   in financial inclusion and societal impact.

Mr. Njoroge encapsulates this vision with an optimistic outlook:  “We are excited to continue this journey, knowing that with our customers, staff, and communities, we can achieve even greater milestones. The future is bright, and together, we will grow and prosper.”

As Jawabu Biashara celebrates its growth and success in 2024,  Mr. Gaita, the CEO, reflects on one of the most significant achievements for the company this year: the transformative impact of their clean energy solutions. “The best moment in 2024 for Jawabu Biashara is the way we have seen our customers being transformed,” Mr. Gaita shares. “We started a solution of clean energy, that is biogas, and we have seen a lot of our customers really changing their lives. Transforming from using firewood to now using gas, so there is no difference between the customer who is in the urban centre and the one who is in the rural area. That kind of transformation is really great for us as an institution because we have seen a change in society, which means there is all round   growth.” This fits into Jawabu brand promise of: finance, empower and transform.

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