Exploring financial inclusion through the lens of small holder farmers and rural micro-entrepreneurs
FOCUS
Inclusive Finance for Resilient Communities
Explore innovative housing and agricultural finance solutions enabling inclusive development across East-Africa
PURPOSE
Curated learning experience, Firsthand Insights, Direct Engagement
Join us on an immersive experience to discover how financial institutions are expanding access to finance for underserved communities
IMPACT
Unlocking Access to Inclusive Housing and Agricultural Finance
Witness how inclusive finance empowers smallholder farmers and low-income households through tailored financial products and local innovation
Objective
This immersive educational experience is designed to offer a premium deep dive into the power of financial inclusion in emerging markets. This curated experience delivers direct exposure to innovative financial service providers and their clients, showcasing how inclusive finance transforms lives and livelihoods on the ground.
Focusing on housing and agricultural finance in Kenya and Uganda, the program explores the real-world challenges and opportunities faced by financial institutions and MSMEs, highlighting solutions that foster sustainable economic growth.
Who Should Attend?
This journey is crafted for:
- Impact investors seeking ground-level context
- DFIs and foundations looking to sharpen their strategic engagement
- Academia and researchers curious about field applications of inclusive finance
- Technical assistance professionals aiming to enhance impact
Why Should Institutional Investors, Philanthropists, and Development Actors Join?
For institutional investors, philanthropists, and impact-driven stakeholders, the Learning Journey to Kenya and Uganda offers a rare chance to engage meaningfully with the ecosystems they aim to support. This executive-level field immersion delivers direct exposure to financial institutions and local communities working at the forefront of inclusive housing and agricultural finance.
Participants will meet clients, explore innovative financing models, and engage in peer-level dialogue, providing the kind of contextual intelligence that sharpens strategy, strengthens due diligence, and unlocks new pathways for catalytic capital. While not academically accredited, the experience is carefully curated to deliver high learning value and purpose-driven insight. Join us to witness inclusive finance in action, deepen your impact lens, and return equipped with stories, connections, and knowledge that inform both funding and investment decisions.
Program Features
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Immerse themselves in the dynamic socio-economic realities of both countries, gaining a deeper understanding of inclusive financial ecosystems.
- Visit rural communities to see firsthand how housing microfinance enables low-income families to build safer, more resilient homes.
- Explore agricultural finance solutions that are helping smallholder farmers strengthen food security and adapt to a changing climate.
- Engage directly with local financial service providers to learn about their models, innovations, and the real-world challenges they navigate.
- Meet clients of financial institutions, from women-led enterprises to young entrepreneurs, and hear their personal stories of ambition, resilience, and transformation through finance.
- Participate in structured dialogues and reflective sessions that encourage cross-sector learning, peer exchange, and a broader vision for impact.
This is a rare chance to connect with purpose, witness impact in action, and return inspired.
Logistics and Practical Arrangements
Dates
September 14 – 20, 2025
Location
Kenya, Uganda
- Participants should arrive in Nairobi, Kenya by Saturday, 13 September 2025
- A group transfer flight to Kampala, Uganda will take place on Wednesday, 17 September
- Delegates will depart from Kampala on Saturday, 20 September
- 4 stars hotel accommodation will be provided
- Airport transfers will be organized for all participants
Impact Objectives (SDGs)
Ready to explore impact investing firsthand?
Register your interest today! Contact Munashe MakoniWhat Does a Day in a Learning Journey Look Like?
Each day of the Learning Journey is designed to provide a rich, hands-on experience, combining expert insights, real-world interactions, and meaningful discussions.
Morning | Deep Dive into Financial Inclusion
Kick off the day with exclusive sessions featuring microfinance institutions, policymakers, or local financial service providers. Gain firsthand insights into the financial inclusion landscape and the role of impact investing in fostering economic empowerment.
Mid-Morning | Field Visits and Entrepreneurial Stories
Step into the real world of micro-entrepreneurs and women-led businesses. Visit financial institutions and witness how microfinance empowers small businesses, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Afternoon | Workshops and Interactive Discussions
Participate in expert-led workshops and roundtable discussions exploring essential themes such as financial literacy and digital inclusion, the challenges and opportunities within urban and rural financial ecosystems, and the role of impact investment in supporting microfinance institutions.
Late Afternoon | Debrief and Peer Learning
Wrap up the day with collaborative debriefing sessions, where participants share key takeaways, reflections, and insights. A unique opportunity to deepen your understanding and exchange perspectives with peers.
Evening | Networking and Cultural Experience
Beyond the learning sessions, enjoy networking opportunities with industry leaders and local professionals, or explore cultural landmarks for a deeper connection with the region.
Recap Video – Learning Journey in Senegal
The learning journey showed me how Symbiotics' investments uplift communities, supporting families, even in remote areas, and creating vital jobs for young graduates within the context of a demographic boom.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Travel & Visa
Accommodation & Meals
Payment & Refund Policies
Registration Deadlines
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us at learningjourneys@symbioticsgroup.com
We look forward to welcoming you on this transformative journey!
About Symbiotics Capacity Building
Symbiotics Capacity Building is the consulting and education arm of the Symbiotics Group, specializing in capacity building for sustainable development within the development finance sector. Since 2011, SYCB has managed over USD 19.5 million in donor funding, implementing more than 170 projects and supporting 75 portfolio investees across 37 countries. Our offer comprises qualitative and highly customized services in the space of TA, training and knowledge transfer, and strategy consulting in critical sectors such as agriculture, digital innovation, green energy, inclusive finance, and the empowerment of women and youth.