ABOUT | vicoba

The Kilimanjaro VICOBA Network (Kivinet) is a nonprofit organization that supports the VICOBA groups within the greater Kilimanjaro region of northern Tanzania. Currently, KIVINET supports over 500 VICOBA groups with around 15,000 members total.

Each VICOBA group functions like a grass-roots community bank with a standard number of about 30 members. Each member has the opportunity to contribute capital to the group during weekly meetings. Based on the number of shares owned, group members take turns taking out loans from each other using the group capital to finance new business ventures or to fund development or expansion of existing ventures. Loans are typically associated with a below-market interest rates that is added back to the pooled group capital when paid.

In addition to the pooled capital for business-related loans, members of VICOBA group may also contribute some capital toward a group social fund. Members who contribute to the social fund are eligible to take out interest-free loans to finance medical and education expenses. The overall operating scheme provides members with capital for both sustainable sources of income and to cover unexpected personal expenses.

ABOUT KIVINET

OUR VISION

To create a society free from poverty with better lives for all.

OUR MISSION

Bring positive changes to the lives of VICOBA members by teaching them skills and giving them access to capital.

OBJECTIVE #1

Faciliatate VICOBA groups' formation.

OBJECTIVE #4

Supply each VICOBA group with the necessary operating materials and equipment, including the following: safe, calculators, pen, pencil and individual accounting books for record keeping. Due to the materials and supplies, each group operates under a single system.

OBJECTIVE #2

Provide VICOBA operation training.

OBJECTIVE #3

Provide entrepreneurship skills training to the VICOBA groups.

OBJECTIVE #5

Connect VICOBA members to various channels of capital, including financial and government organizations.

OBJECTIVE #6

Link up VICOBA groups and individuals to share experiences about the business environment within developing countries.

OBJECTIVE #7

Utilize subsidiary Kilimanjaro VICOBA Microfinance (KIVIMI) to help resolve issues of lacking capital within various VICOBA grouups.

Organizational Structure

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

All levels of leadership attend the annual meeting to finalize decisions for the network.

KIVINET BOARD of Directors

The voted upon board of directors delegate management activities to the KIVINET staff members.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The executive director is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the organization.

District Coordinators

Facilitate VICOBA activities within their respective districts.

TREASURER

The treasurer manages the financial operations of the network

TECHNICAL ADVISOR

In cooperation with the executive director, acts as a think tank with a focus on innovation and strategy.

VICOBA GROUPS

KIVINET supports over 500 groups. Each group is typically made up of 30 members with designated leaders responsible for group oversight.

PROGRAM OFFICER

The program officer advises the executive director on matters relating to program development.

KIVINET is officially registered with the Tanzanian government under the Societies Act.