Dekpo Epicenter Bank Achieves Official Government Recognition

Dekpo Epicenter in Benin is the newest epicenter to have an official government-recognized rural bank.  It received official recognition on April 20, 2007. This brings the total number of member-owned, women-led Hunger Project-initiated rural banks in Benin to two. It is the 17th Hunger Project bank in Africa to receive government recognition.

Members of Dekpo epicenter rural bank repaying their loans.		Dekpo epicenter rural bank manager receiving loan repayments.

From left to right, the presidents of the three leadership committees of the rural bank (the Credit Committee, the Administrative Council, and the Supervisory Committee) with the bank manager (second from right).

Thirty women’s groups consisting of 290 people are members of this bank. Since 2004, these groups have gone through four loan cycles in The Hunger Project’s African Woman Food Farmer Initiative (AWFFI) Direct Credit program with a 98% repayment rate. 

At the time of recognition, group members’ savings were valued at CFA 2,313,000 (~$4,740), and loan funds were valued at CFA 7,942,650 (~$16,275).

The bank applied for official recognition in October 2006 and recruited a bank manager in November 2006.

Dekpo is located 160 km north west of Cotonou.