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Kazi = “work” · “opportunity” in Swahili

Zero-interest loans for entrepreneurs in Tanzania and Chad

KAZI Startfunding finances small social and sustainable projects run by entrepreneurs who have no access to bank loans. KAZI's local NGOs select the projects and support the whole process, from the business plan to the repayment of the loan: field visits, administrative help and training workshops. Every repaid loan then finances the next project.

Support KAZI See the projects → Learn more Apply for a loan
Zero interest rate Indexed in local currency Projects supported throughout
Our model

How a KAZI loan works

Questions? Read the FAQ →

Apply to the local NGO

Anyone who wishes to can contact KAZI Tanzania or FEDJIN KAZI Chad, present their project and apply for a loan.

Local selection

The local NGOs assess the viability and the social and environmental impact of the project, and help draw up a business plan.

Zero-interest loan + support

Funds are lent in local currency, and KAZI absorbs the exchange-rate risk. The local teams support the business: field visits, administrative help and training workshops.

Repay & re-lend

Repayments follow a set schedule and fund the next entrepreneur's project: the fund is revolving. Projects that have worked out can get a second loan.

About KAZI

Mission & model

KAZI Startfunding's mission is to create job opportunities that lead to financial and social independence in countries with limited resources, on a disinterested and non-profit basis.

The idea behind KAZI Startfunding is simple: provide financial support, administrative guidance and training workshops to people who want to start a social or sustainable project in Tanzania or Chad. Loans are indexed in local currency, so the people who borrow never carry the exchange-rate risk. Once repaid, the money is lent again to someone else: it is a revolving fund.

What every project must show

  • Economic viability
  • A positive social impact
  • Respect for the environment
KAZI in context

From an idea to three local teams

KAZI Startfunding was founded in Switzerland in 2019 by a group of friends from economics, medicine, law, business and international relations, together with partners in Cameroon, who shaped KAZI's core principle that projects are created and led locally. At the end of 2019, a member of the Swiss team worked at the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) in Tanzania. Colleagues there wanted to bring the idea to Ifakara, and they formed the Tanzanian steering committee. The pilot phase began in early 2020 with interest-free loans to five local projects. KAZI Tanzania was officially registered as an NGO in 2021, and the association FEDJIN KAZI Chad was founded in December 2022.
Today, the association KAZI Switzerland (recognised as being of public benefit since 2023), the NGO KAZI Tanzania and the association FEDJIN KAZI Chad are legally separate but work closely together on the basis of Memoranda of Understanding, written funding contracts and regular meetings.

Chad Pala Tanzania Ifakara
Where KAZI operates

Local teams, close to the entrepreneurs

KAZI Tanzania, Ifakara

A non-profit NGO registered in Tanzania. The first field base since 2021, in the Kilombero Valley (Morogoro region): it selects the projects, follows them and trains the project leaders.

FEDJIN KAZI Chad

A non-profit NGO registered in Chad. The second field base, founded in 2023 by a Chadian committee in the Pala area, south-western Chad: the same work of selection, follow-up and training.

KAZI Switzerland, Geneva

A non-profit association registered in Switzerland. It handles fundraising and the Swiss administration.

The projects

Projects supported (2020-2025)

Results

Activity reports

A full activity report is published every year, showing how KAZI Startfunding and the projects it finances are developing.

Governance

The teams

Thank you

Partners & sponsors

Become a partner →

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for a KAZI loan?

Entrepreneurs and groups in the areas where the local teams work (the Ifakara area in Tanzania, and the Pala area in south-western Chad) with a sustainable project that banks won't finance. The project must be economically viable and have a positive social and environmental impact. See how to apply.

Why are the loans at zero interest?

KAZI's goal is not profit but a fair start. At zero interest, entrepreneurs keep more of what their business earns and can invest it in growing. The zero rate is written into the statutes of all three entities.

Why are loans indexed in local currency?

Borrowers receive and repay their loan in Tanzanian shillings or CFA francs. KAZI absorbs the exchange-rate risk, so a fall in the local currency never increases what an entrepreneur owes.

Why a loan and not a donation?

A repaid loan funds the next entrepreneur's project: the fund is revolving, so each franc helps several projects over time. The local teams select every borrower carefully, and a good repayment record opens the door to a second loan.

How is my donation used?

Donations mainly go into the loan fund. Another share covers running costs (rent and salaries of the local teams; the committees are volunteers). Each year's activity report gives the detailed accounts. See the reports.

How do I become a member or join the Swiss committee?

Write to us at communication@kazi-funding.org and tell us how you would like to get involved. We will explain the options and next steps. More about getting involved.

Get involved

Three ways to take part

DonateYour gift is lent again and again. Become a memberJoin one of the volunteer committees and share your experience. Apply for a loanFor micro-entrepreneurs in Tanzania and Chad.

Become a member

Depending on your country, join one of the volunteer committees and contribute your professional experience to the project. Tell us a little about yourself and how you would like to get involved.

Write to us

Apply for a loan

For project leaders and groups in the Ifakara area in Tanzania and the Pala area in south-western Chad. You will need:

  • An existing project or a project idea
  • Skills in your field
  • A sense of the market, or a simple business plan
  • A positive social and environmental impact
  • References from your community
Contact your local team
Contact

Get in touch

KAZI Switzerland

KAZI Tanzania, Ifakara

For loan applications, write directly to the local team.

FEDJIN KAZI Chad

For loan applications, write directly to the local team.