At Oxford Saïd, we are committed to democratising access to education as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty. Our mission is to empower business owners worldwide through our world-class research and teaching.
We are developing and implementing business and financial literacy programmes tailored to the unique needs of micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries. These initiatives will help businesses grow, scale and thrive.
We want to build more impactful partnerships with organisations in Africa and India to deliver targeted financial literacy programmes, with a special focus on women and young entrepreneurs in underserved rural areas.
By fostering financial literacy and business skills, we aim to equip entrepreneurs in emerging markets with the tools they need to succeed, creating ripple effects of prosperity for families, communities, and economies.
Our financial inclusion programmes bridge the gap between financial resources and the financial knowledge entrepreneurs need to grow their businesses. We aim to create a transformative ecosystem where women and young entrepreneurs gain not only access to funding but also the skills needed to leverage it for sustainable business growth.
Key objectives:
We have partnered with local organisations to develop a pilot programme targeting 800 female-led micro-enterprises.
A comprehensive field study was carried out with microfinance institutions (MFIs) and female led micro-enterprises to identify the specific needs of women entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe.
The white paper 'The Role of Microfinance Institutions and Financial Literacy in Strengthening Entrepreneurial Capacity Among Women in Zimbabwe' explores the findings of the field study, examining the critical link between financial literacy training, access to microfinance, and the business success of these women.
By addressing key challenges - such as loan management, business formalisation and financial planning - this study provides actionable recommendations to enhance the impact of financial literacy initiatives and promote economic resilience.
Based on the findings from the needs analysis, we have designed interactive learning modules and localised case studies to address the specific challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Throughout future pilot programmes, we will conduct ongoing monitoring and evaluation to refine and scale the courses nationwide, ensuring lasting impact.
Key features of the pilot:
We are in discussions with financial institutions and associations in India to launch pilot studies across up to five states. These initiatives aim to empower female and youth entrepreneurs through customised financial literacy programmes, contributing to sustainable economic growth and opportunity creation.
Oxford Saïd’s Financial Literacy Programme champions business growth and community development by equipping female- and youth-owned micro-enterprises with the knowledge and skills to succeed. By fostering a virtuous cycle of learning and economic empowerment, we aim to drive meaningful and lasting change.
Watch our recent financial literacy event
Hear from two inspiring speakers, Dr Ethel Mupambwa, Founder and CEO of MoneyMart Finance and Tokunboh Ishmael, Founder and Managing Partner of Alitheia Capital. Both of these women are actively engaged in our programmes and working to advance financial inclusion in their respective countries.
It was great to have them on stage speaking at 'Accelerating action for female entrepreneurs in Africa' in Oxford.
Be part of our mission to create opportunities for some of the most underserved members of society.
