Poverty Eradication Lab
The Next Chapter in FINCA’s Innovation Story.
FINCA’s Poverty Eradication Lab discovers, tests, and scales digitally enabled products and solutions that help people break the cycle of poverty.
We combine deep user insights, human-centered design, and four decades of experience to rapidly prototype and deliver practical solutions that work, where and when they’re needed most. With a footprint spanning 45+ countries and access to 9 million customers, the Lab is FINCA’s engine for turning bold ideas into meaningful change.
What Sets Us Apart
The Poverty Eradication Lab is built to do things differently. We don’t just design products — we build them with customers, test them in the field, and refine them for real-world impact. This is what makes it possible to deliver solutions that are fast, relevant, and scalable.
Validation
- We test real prototypes with real users in the field
- Only proven solutions move forward
Human-Centered Design
- People are at the heart of every product decision
- We engage directly with customers to understand their needs, aspirations, and lived realities.
Ecosystem Approach
- We connect solutions and partners to tackle poverty at its roots
- Seamless integration with FINCA Ventures portfolio companies
Speed
- Products move from idea to prototype in under 3 months
- Rapid iteration reduces risk and accelerates impact
Access
- Direct access to 9M+ FINCA customers
- Every product is built for deployment through 361 by FINCA
Pilots in Action
The Lab transforms insights into action through rapid prototyping and field testing. Each pilot is designed to validate impact, commercial viability, and scalability, ensuring that successful models can be replicated across markets.
Holistic Finance in Early Childhood Education in Uganda and Tanzania
The Lab is partnering with Jackfruit Finance, a fintech platform and FINCA Ventures investee, to pilot a three-phase financing model to improve the quality and capacity of early childhood education for low- and middle-income families in Uganda and Tanzania.
End-to-End Rice Finance for Smallholder Farmers in Ghana
The Lab partnered with FLUID Finance, an agri-fintech and FINCA Ventures investee, to pilot a holistic financing model for smallholder farmers in Ghana. Instead of credit, farmers received seeds, fertilizer, and mechanized services like ploughing and harvesting, and were ensured a guaranteed market at fair prices.
Latest Insights
Turning Silos into Synergy: An Inclusive Finance Pilot Provides Lessons for Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
Join us in driving revolutionary change to end to poverty
PARTNERS
The Lab co-designs and delivers financial products that advance shared missions. FINCA’s reach and trusted customer relationships provide a platform for testing and scaling new solutions, while partners bring technology, expertise, or capital to the table. Together, we create measurable impact and expand access to new markets.
DONORS
The Lab offers a unique opportunity to fund innovation that aligns with your social investment priorities. Whether supporting early-stage pilots or scaling proven models, your capital fuels solutions with measurable impact, unlocking income growth, financial access, and resilience for underserved communities.
Learn More
For more information or if you have a question for the Poverty Eradication Lab, please fill out the contact form below and our team will be in touch.