Elili – Social Microfinance in Liberia

In Liberia, the agricultural sector accounts for 34% of GDP. It employs 2/3 of the population, and 80% of farmers are women. Yet they face severe obstacles: limited access to land, inputs, advice, training and outlets. What’s more, the only two microfinance institutions operating in Liberia serve farmers very little. Furthermore, extreme weather events have a devastating impact on harvests. Finally, to cover their energy needs, 90% of the population depend on wood, charcoal and palm oil. The rudimentary stoves that use this energy cause dangerous inhalation and disastrous tree-cutting.

Comprehensive support to empower them

In 2024, Entrepreneurs du Monde set up ELILI, a local microfinance institution, to serve farmers living in Lofa county, near the Wolongozi-Wonegizi forest ecosystem conservation areas, as well as in Bong county.

The mission of this project is to help these producers to increase their agricultural yields using agro-ecological practices so that they :

• make a better living out of their work
• improve food security for all
• no longer need to deforest to expand their farmland

2024 key figure

Comprehensive support for farmers

Entrepreneurs du Monde has recruited a local team whose members all have extensive agricultural training. This enables them to provide farmers with the best possible advice on the use of credit and complementary services.

To bring about a complete and lasting change in the daily lives of communities, ELILI provides farmers with comprehensive support:

• a free savings account
  
• individual loans tailored to the harvest cycle
  
• training every 4 weeks
  
• access to seeds and clean cooking equipment from local partners

Elili’s partners