Re:BUiLD is enabling financial inclusion of refugees and vulnerable host residents through supporting Urban Savings and Loans Associations (USLAs). 

Urban Saving & Loans Associations (USLA) groups have been trained by the Re:BUiLD program in principles of USLA, record keeping and the process of developing a group constitution. The USLAs consist of groups of between 15-25 members.

These groups are supported with structured training on governance, record keeping, conflict management, and financial literacy, which not only builds group capacity but also fosters strong norms of trust, transparency, and accountability. Importantly, USLAs offer more than access to informal credit. They function as safe and supportive spaces where financial habits are nurtured. Members internalize the discipline of saving and repaying loans, creating informal credit histories that demonstrate their creditworthiness.

In addition to the training, the Re:BUiLD program is facilitating the groups to register with the Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) in Kampala and Nairobi City County Government in Nairobi as Community Based Organisations (CBOs). This support continues to date.

In Kampala as of August 2025, Re:BUiLD and partners have supported 104 USLA groups comprising 1442 refugees and 780 nationals, and in Nairobi as of August 2025, Re:BUiLD and partners have supported 133 USLA groups comprising 1,673 refugees and 389 nationals . The Re:BUiLD program continues to support these groups to enable them formalise, have access to services of financial institutions as well as technical support to enable smooth operation of the groups.

Overall, across the two cities, Re:BUiLD formed over 230 savings groups (reaching nearly 3,900 individuals) during the period 2021–2025. Cumulatively, these groups have saved more than €139,000 – a testament to the financial discipline and trust that have been built. To date, 141 of the groups (88 in Kenya, 53 in Uganda) have 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) have opened bank accounts through Re:BUiLD’s linkages, establishing a foothold in the formal financial system . The success is evident in qualitative ways too: refugee participants report greater confidence in handling finances and indicate that the group model has fostered solidarity and a sense of belonging in the city.

Urban saving schemes encourage social cohesion as well as provide a mechanism for refugees and vulnerable hosts to save and access much needed financial services to invest in their small businesses.

The USLA clients are linked to financial service providers like Banks and Saccos to access formal financial services including account opening, credit and financial literacy. This has enabled clients grow their business further with access to capital and per their business needs. 

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