IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GENDER AND DIGITAL FINANCIAL SERVICES IN TELLERS WE TRUST The Service Zoona Zambia has created a specialized program to train more young women to become Zoona tellers, Zoona Kiosk owners and community leaders. In 2014, Zoona was selected by the Girl Effect KEY FIGURES Accelerator1 as one of the 10 global ventures best-positioned to take young, marginalized women out of poverty. 400 Zoona Agents in Zambia managing 100 Innovations outlets After doing some data analysis, Zoona realized that even though only 30 percent of their kiosks were owned by women, 70 percent of all 1.5 million unique the kiosks were staffed by women. When exploring why this was customers every 60 days the case, Zoona learned that both clients and business owners trust women more in conducting transactions and operating the kiosks in an effective manner. Over US $1 billion of transaction value In February 2016, Zoona launched the Girl Effect Pipeline. This is processed since a two-week leadership training course for young women who have inception finished 12 years of schooling, but who have no access to employment or funds to invest in tertiary education. 2500 jobs created Providing the young women with training in life skills, phone and by Zoona related computer usage, personal presentation, customer service and how to businesses – 70 percent operate the Zoona system, 41 young women, from rural and urban of whom are women areas are now earning incomes as tellers in existing Zoona kiosks. The women now plan to become either Zoona Kiosk owners or return 22.5% female youth to their tertiary education. unemployment rate Adaptations The Girl Effect Pipeline is a new program that is intended to run for two years for each cycle, with a new cycle starting every year. 1. Girl Effect Accelerator is partnership between the Nike Foundation and the Unreasonable Group. http://girleffectaccelerator.com/ World Bank Quandl Database, December 2013. Zoona also provided some seed funding for all new • Move the same model into new markets (for Kiosk owners. This covers pre-built Kiosks, branding example, to Malawi, where Zoona has already (including clothing and signage), tools to manage established a business). businesses, and training support. • Increased financial literacy and access to a formal Additionally, Zoona provided a Support Towards Early financial tool that can be used for a variety of Profitability (STEP) payment for new businesses to purposes. cover operating costs, such as rent, electricity, phone credit and teller salaries, and so on) for up to one year, • A one-stop shop for registration, education, queries or until the business breaks even. and feedback. How Girl Effect Pipeline has added How this can apply to the Pacific value to Zoona Region • The provision of start-up support for new Kiosks • The Pacific Region has many young women who allows new businesses some time to grow their lack opportunities. Sixty percent of women in market, without being hindered at the start by Papua New Guinea attend a women’s only group existing debt. at least once a week, and 30 percent of women said they seek money management advice from female • Pre-made Kiosks allow for consistent branding friends. and ensure a minimum level of consistency in the customer experience. • There is demand for female training services that provide skills and the ability to create an income. • Supporting more women tellers, and hopefully more women business owners, provides Zoona • There are many highly under-served communities with a more trusted agent network that is attractive in the Pacific region that would benefit from to its customers. having a regular financial service. The provision of training and support can facilitate financial services to these areas. Further Opportunities • The ability to adapt or ‘franchise’ the Girl Effect Additional Resources Pipeline model to other businesses where women customers are highly sought. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP-GTP2B6Vs (Video on the Girl Effect) • Great community branding as a support for rural areas and r young women. http://www.girleffect.org/girl-effect-in-action/girl- effect-accelerator/ Contact: Margarete Biallas | IFC Digital Financial Services Advisory | mbiallas@ifc.org IN PARTNERSHIP WITH