From 2021 to 2025, Re:BUiLD strengthened the financial inclusion of refugees and vulnerable host community members in Nairobi and Kampala through the establishment and support of Urban Savings and Loans Associations (USLAs).

Urban Saving & Loans Associations (USLA) groups have served as community-based financial groups of 15–25 members, providing structured opportunities for savings, access to small loans, and financial capacity building. Through comprehensive training in USLA principles, governance, record keeping, conflict management, and financial literacy, the program built both individual and collective financial capability.

These groups have been supported with structured training on governance, record keeping, conflict management, and financial literacy, which not only built group capacity but also fostered strong norms of trust, transparency, and accountability. Importantly, USLAs offered more than access to informal credit. They functioned as safe and supportive spaces where financial habits were nurtured. Members internalized the discipline of saving and repaying loans, creating informal credit histories that demonstrated their creditworthiness.

In addition to the training, the Re:BUiLD program facilitated the groups to register with the Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) in Kampala and Nairobi City County Government in Nairobi as Community Based Organizations (CBOs). 

By December 2025, Re:BUiLD and partners supported 237 USLA groups comprising 3,118 refugees and 1167 nationals. In Nairobi, Re:BUiLD and partners supported 133 USLA groups comprising 1,673 refugees and 388 nationals. In Kampala, Re:BUiLD and partners supported 104 USLA groups comprising 1,445 refugees and 779 nationals. 

Cumulatively, these groups saved €167,927 – a testament to the financial discipline and trust that have been built. 140 of the groups (52 in Kenya, 88 in Uganda) achieved formal registration with government authorities – a key step toward sustainability. Importantly, 1,228 refugees and host clients (974 in Nairobi and 254 in Kampala) opened bank accounts through Re:BUiLD’s financial linkages, that established a foothold in the formal financial system . The success was evident in qualitative ways too: refugee participants reported greater confidence in handling finances and indicated that the group model fostered solidarity and a sense of belonging in the city.

Upscaling

Through the program, RE:BUILD directly reached 4,285 USLA clients. To sustain and expand the impact of these groups, we supported our partners and refugee‑led organizations to recruit and strengthen new USLAs. 

In the next phase, RE:BUILD will continue supporting these groups by connecting members to financial services, training opportunities, and ongoing technical assistance, enabling them to grow their income‑generating activities and improve their livelihoods 

Data source: Re:BUiLD Urban Saving & Loans Associations (USLA) survey as of December 2025