In 2024, 43-year-old Thembelihle Nyathi from Bulawayo struggled to grow her vegetable business despite having ample land. With limited working capital, she planted small quantities that only covered daily needs. Her breakthrough came after receiving financial literacy training under the CAUSEWAY Access to Finance Project, implemented by ZADT. The training equipped her with budgeting and proposal-writing skills, enabling her to develop a strong loan application.
Although her proposal initially faced challenges due to lack of collateral, AFC Bank recognized its potential and approved a USD $15,000 loan using insurance as security. With the funding, Nyathi invested in greenhouse materials and planted tomatoes and onions, marking her first step into larger-scale production. She currently supplies supermarkets, street vendors, and supports a network of seven women with stock on credit.
Encouraged by her progress, she now plans to build a second greenhouse to further expand her output. Nyathi’s journey shows how financial literacy and flexible financing models can empower women to grow sustainable agricultural businesses.