Empowering Rural Ghana: The World Vision–MobileMoney LTD Partnership Driving Financial Inclusion and Resilient Livelihoods
In the heart of West Africa lies Ghana, a nation that has made commendable strides towards alleviating extreme poverty. However, a stark reality persists: over 7.3 million Ghanaians, nearly a quarter of the population, grapple with multidimensional poverty. This condition not only limits their access to essential healthcare and education but also stifles sustainable livelihoods. With 72% of the rural workforce dependent on subsistence agriculture, the challenge of poverty remains deeply entrenched in the countryside, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions.
Agriculture contributes about 21% of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), yet rural farmers continue to face mounting challenges: climate shocks, declining soil fertility, environmental degradation, and limited access to inputs and markets. The cost of environmental degradation alone is estimated at $6.3 billion annually, accounting for 10.7% of the national GDP. Meanwhile, 3.6 million people experience food insecurity, with the majority living in rural communities.
For many rural families, progress is hindered by low literacy, outdated farming practices, and restricted access to finance, with only 42% of adults having access to formal financial services. Women, who make up nearly 40% of Ghana’s agricultural workforce, face even greater barriers, including limited access to capital, heavy domestic burdens, and unequal market participation.
A Transformative Approach: Everyone THRIVE Ghana
In response, World Vision Ghana (WVG) launched Everyone THRIVE Ghana, a bold initiative aimed at empowering 160,000 households (approximately 800,000 individuals) across 13 districts by 2027. Its mission is clear and ambitious: to double the household incomes of at least 400,000 people within three years by equipping families with tools for financial resilience and sustainable growth.
The programme operates under the THRIVE 2030 framework, focusing on four interconnected pillars:
Behavioural Transformation – Promoting a values-based, empowered worldview that fosters stewardship and self-reliance.
Financial Inclusion – Strengthening access to digital financial services through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs).
Sustainable Enterprises – Building profitable, market-driven enterprises that secure household income.
Digital Enablement – Leveraging technology for efficient project delivery and financial connectivity.
Partnership with Purpose: MobileMoney LTD and World Vision Ghana
At the centre of this transformation is a powerful partnership between World Vision Ghana and MobileMoney LTD, demonstrating how private sector innovation can accelerate social impact. MobileMoney LTD’s support extends beyond funding; it’s a strategic investment in Ghana’s digital and financial future.
Through this collaboration, MobileMoney LTD has:
Provided free MoMo merchant accounts for VSLAs and waived GHS 10 SIM activation fees for 1,000 SIM cards.
Covered transportation costs (approximately GHS 400 per community) for field teams to activate and register savings groups.
Delivered digital and financial literacy training to ensure participants can confidently use mobile money platforms.
Recruited MoMo agents within rural communities to expand financial access.
Contributed GHS 30,000 through the MTN Ghana Foundation to advance the project’s reach.
These initiatives align seamlessly with MobileMoney LTD’s broader commitment to deepening digital and financial inclusion across Ghana and Africa.
MML also bridges financial access gaps by partnering with banks and fintechs to deliver inclusive mobile financial services including loans, savings, insurance, investments, and pensions for underserved communities. From Subsistence to Sustainability
Together, World Vision Ghana and MobileMoney LTD are redefining what’s possible for rural communities. By integrating savings groups, digital finance tools, and enterprise development, the partnership is helping families move from day-to-day survival to sustainable growth.
The impact extends beyond income; it builds resilience, strengthens communities, and opens pathways for children to thrive. As Ghana accelerates its agricultural and digital transformation, this partnership stands as a model of how digital financial inclusion, innovation, and empowerment can converge to unlock rural potential and drive inclusive national development.