Assilassimé Solidarité
Since 2012, Assilassimé Solidarité has been supporting people who are excluded or living in extreme poverty, providing them with access to loans, savings accounts, and economic and social support.
Social microfinance services tailored to vulnerable people
In Togo, many people live in situations of exclusion or extreme poverty, with limited access to traditional financial services. Among them are people living with HIV/AIDS, people with disabilities, widows, single mothers, porters, and sex workers. These populations must manage with very limited resources to develop a business and provide for their families.
Since 2012, Assilassimé has been offering its beneficiaries tailored financial products, including savings accounts and loans adapted to their needs. The program also provides social support and training to strengthen their skills.
Beneficiaries participate in group meetings (25 to 40 people, organized nearby to limit travel). These meetings allow them to:
- monitor savings and loan repayments,
- benefit from training on economic, social, health, environmental, and agricultural topics,
- discuss their practices and encourage each other.
Each beneficiary receives personalized support for as long as necessary to develop their business. Methodical monitoring of social performance ensures that living conditions are improving in concrete terms.
Today, Assilassimé is active in several areas of Togo and, with a dozen agencies, provides sustainable support to the most vulnerable populations, ensuring rigorous monitoring of social impact.
Poverty rate remains high despite growth
Togo is experiencing significant economic growth and democratic progress, with major projects for electrification and waste management supported by international cooperation. These initiatives bring hope for improved living conditions.
However, change remains slow and poverty rates remain high, especially in rural areas (59% compared to 26% in cities).
A leading institution in Togo
Entrepreneurs du Monde launched Assilassimé in 2012 to support vulnerable people who are excluded from traditional financial institutions. With around ten microfinance branches across the country, the institution has become a benchmark, particularly in the capital, Lomé.
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38 551 beneficiaries in 2024
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150 employees
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6 M€ gross outstanding portfolio
Testimonial
With Assilassimé’s support, Jeanne Tossou overcame obstacles to develop her business and support her family.
My name is Jeanne Tossou, I am 48 years old and I am a baker in Lomé. Originally from Benin, I followed my husband to Togo for his work. As the eldest of 17 children in a polygamous family, I never went to school. At age 13, I learned baking by being placed with a family of bakers. At age 28, I opened my own bakery, but without the right equipment, it was difficult to run the business.