VisionFund Zambia Limited (VFZ) is a deposit taking microfinance institution, 91% owned by VisionFund International and 3.1% by World Vision Zambia Ltd, with a rural focus targeting the economically active low income entrepreneurs who are excluded by traditional financial institutions mainly in the underserved rural areas. VisionFund Zambia has been in operation since 2003 having been incorporated in 2002.
Currently, VFZ is in the process of restructuring its shareholding to ensure that no single shareholder should control more than 25% voting shares via transfer of some VFI shares to related parties including World Vision Real Properties LLC of the United States of America (WVUS).
We seek to improve the lives of children by providing low income entrepreneurs with access to sustainable and integrated financial services that unlock their potential.
VFZ currently has a network of 12 branches plus 9 sub branches, totaling to 21 locations largely dotted in rural areas in 8 out of the 10 provinces in Zambia (except Luapula Province and Western Province), serving 17,159 clients with a portfolio value of K70,337,000, impacting 58,001 children. VFZ has a staff compliment of 177 committed employees.
VFZ is one of the recognized MFIs driving the financial inclusion agenda in Zambia and enjoys a warm relationship with the regulator (Bank of Zambia) and the Zambian Government through programs in partnership with institutions such as RUFEP under the Ministry of Finance, Zambia. Overall, a strong partnership (integration) with World Vision Zambia Limited (WVZ) has been key in delivering rural financial empowerment through the various WVZ programs such as ANEW and THRIVE in the WVZ Area Programs (APs). VFZ also collaborates with GIZ mainly on technical capacity building to enable VFZ provide agricultural and rural finance efficiently and is also implementing the SaTF 3pin model savings group a rural banking strategy which is a precursor to deposit and savings business in partnership with MasterCard Foundation.
VFZ is en route to financial operational self-sustainability and profitability through the implementation of a recently developed comprehensive performance turnaround strategy sanctioned by the VFZ Board and VFI. The strategy involves certain austerity measures and focuses on improving Portfolio Quality, rationalizing Operating Costs and attainment of breakeven by December 31, 2019 to ensure the continued existence of VFZ as a strong going concern and one of the key drivers of financial inclusion in Zambia.
VFZ also integrated its core banking system with Sun Accounting system in September 2019 aimed at improving accounting efficiency and reducing staff costs through automation of some processes.
VFZ is overseen by an effective Board of Directors composed of nine prominent persons with diverse skills and professional experiences. The Board is headed by an independent director and is also composed of three WV/VFI affiliated directors including the WVZ National Director, as a key aspect of integration. The Board has three committees namely; Governance, Nominating and Remuneration; Audit and Risk, and Credit Committees, all headed by independent directors. The Board meets on a quarterly basis to assess the financial and operational performance of the company, formulate policies and provide strategic direction of the company.