Aloi ले यस कार्यक्रममा दुई पाङ्ग्रे सवारीमा महिलाहरुलाई सशक्त बनाउने उद्देश्य राखेको छ। यसमा महिला सहभागीहरुलाई आवश्यक सीप र रोजगारीको अवसरहरू प्रदान गर्नका साथै सहुलियत ब्याजदरमा SAJILO  कर्जा उपलब्ध गराउँछौं। कार्यक्रमका विवरण र मापदण्डहरू निम्न छन्। यदि तपाईलाई हाम्रो कार्यक्रम बुझ्नमा कुनै समस्या भएमा, कृपया हामीलाई सम्पर्क गर्नुहोला: +९७७ ९७०४५५४२१६ 

महिला सवारी कार्यक्रममा को-को सहभागी हुन सक्छन्?

• रोजगारीमा जान चाहने तर सवारी चलाउन नजान्ने वा पूँजीको पहुँच नभएका महिला
• NGO जस्ता संग्स्था मा आबद्ध भएका महिला
• यातायात जस्ता क्षेत्रमा व्यवसाय सुरु गर्न इच्छुक महिला, जहाँ सवारी चलाउने सीप र पूँजी आवश्यक हुन्छ
• पढाई र तालिममा संलग्न महिलाहरू
• मार्केटिङ र सेल्स जस्तामा करियर अघि बढाउन चाहने महिला

कार्यक्रम तीन चरणमा विभाजित छ:

पहिलो चरण: तालिम कर्जा

पहिलो चरणमा, हामी इच्छुक महिलाहरुलाई उहाहारूको ड्राइभिङ तालिम, लाइसेन्सको खर्च, र ट्रायल खर्चका लागि कर्जा प्रदान गर्न वित्तीय संस्थाहरूसँग जोड्नेछौं।

पहिलो दुई महिना अनुग्रह अवधि हुनेछ, जहाँ ऋणीले ब्याजको रकम मात्र भुक्तानी गर्नुपर्नेछ। पूर्ण कर्जाको भुक्तानी भने रोजगार सुरु गरेको दुई महिना पछि सुरु हुनेछ। कर्जाको भुक्तानी अवधि १ वर्षको लागि मान्य हुनेछ, र उनीहरूको सुविधाअनुसार दैनिक, साप्ताहिक वा मासिक आधारमा भुक्तानी गर्न सकिन्छ।

पहिलो चरणको तालिममा यी कुराहरू समावेश छन :

• लिखित र ट्रायल परीक्षाको तयारी
• गियर, र ट्राफिक नियम सम्बन्धी तालिम
• सवारी साधनको मर्मत सम्बन्धी तालिम
• सडकमा तालिम
• ट्रायल परीक्षाहरू बीच सवारी तालिम
• ज्ञान परीक्षण

दोस्रो चरण: भाडामा लिने र रोजगार

तालिम प्राप्त महिलाले लाइसेन्स पाएपछि, सहभागीहरूले Aloi वा हाम्रा पार्टनर कम्पनी हरु जस्तै (Niu, Segway, Komaki, Yadea, Super Soco, Ryan Energy आदि) बाट इलेक्ट्रिक स्कूटर भाडामा लिन सक्छन्। उनीहरूले हाम्रा पार्टनर लजिस्टिक्स कम्पनीहरू (Foodmandu, BhojDeals, Upaya, Pick N Drop, Khaanpin, आदि) मा स्थिर तलबमा काम गर्न सक्नेछन्, र अतिरिक्त आम्दानीका लागि राइड-शेयरिङ पनि गर्न सक्नेछन्। यस चरणमा, हामी महिलाहरूलाई आफ्नै स्कूटर किन्नको लागि डाउन पेमेण्ट बचत गर्न प्रोत्साहित गर्छौं। हामी आत्मनिर्भर महिलाहरूलाई आफ्नै स्थिर आम्दानीसहित देख्न चाहन्छौं।

तेस्रो चरण: इलेक्ट्रिक सवारी (EV) कर्जामा पहुँच

डाउन पेमेंट बचत गरेपछि, Aloi सहभागीहरुलाई बैंकहरूबाट इलेक्ट्रिक स्कूटर खरीद गर्न कर्जा प्राप्त गर्न मद्दत गर्नेछ। Aloi ले सहभागीहरुलाई इलेक्ट्रिक सवारी साधनहरूमा ठूलो प्रावधान दिनेछ

महिला सवारी तालिम कार्यक्रमबाट के अपेक्षा गर्न सकिन्छ?

• इलेक्ट्रिक दुई पाङ्ग्रे सवारीको लागि सवारी तालिम प्राप्त गर्ने महिलाहरूलाई यी सवारी साधनहरू सञ्चालन गर्न आवश्यक सीप प्राप्त हुनेछ, जसले उनीहरूको सवारी स्वतन्त्रता बढाउनेछ।
• कर्जा सुविधामा पहुँचले महिलाहरूलाई आफ्नै इलेक्ट्रिक स्कूटर किन्न सक्षम बनाउनेछ, जसले उनीहरूलाई आवतजावत गर्न र आम्दानी गर्न सहयोग गर्नेछ, र आर्थिक सशक्तिकरण प्राप्त गर्नेछ।
• इलेक्ट्रिक स्कूटरको प्रवर्द्धनले कार्बन उत्सर्जन र वायु प्रदूषण घटाउनेछ, जसले दिगो यातायात प्रणालीलाई सहयोग गर्नेछ।
• लजिस्टिक्समा महिला सहभागिताको वृद्धि हुनु भनेको महिलाले यस क्षेत्रमा पनि उत्कृष्ट गर्न सक्छन् भन्ने प्रमाणित गर्नु हो, साथै इलेक्ट्रिक सवारी साधनको स्वीकृतिलाई प्रवर्द्धन गरेर, लजिस्टिक्स कम्पनीहरूलाई लागत घटाउन र स्वस्थ वातावरणलाई समर्थन गर्न मद्दत गर्नेछ।

थप जानकारीको लागि, कृपया संपर्क गर्नुहोस्: सुरभि मिश्रा (surbhi@aloi.global) या +९७७ ९७०४५५४२१६/ +९७७ ९८१८०५०६६२

Sonika Manandhar, CTO and co-founder of Aloi, has been making significant strides in fostering financial trust and accessibility for green micro-entrepreneurs. Aloi, which she co-founded with Tiffany Tong, is a social enterprise that aims to bridge the gap between informal credit histories and formal financial services. By providing a platform that tracks loan utilization and income, Aloi enables micro-entrepreneurs to build credible financial profiles. This data is then utilized by Aloi’s commercial partners to extend formal loans to these individuals. Additionally, Aloi is committed to enhancing financial literacy among micro-entrepreneurs, ensuring they can effectively manage and utilize loans. The ultimate goal for Aloi is to become a last-mile digital bank in Nepal, providing accessible financial services to underserved communities.

Photo credit: One Young World

In 2020, Sonika’s innovative work with Aloi was recognized when she won One Young World’s LEAD2030 Challenge with Standard Chartered Bank. This accolade was instrumental in Aloi’s early success, as it facilitated a crucial partnership with Standard Chartered’s Nepal branch. This connection marked Aloi’s first collaboration with a commercial bank, establishing a strong foundation for further partnerships within the financial sector in Nepal.

Aloi’s impact has been substantial. Currently, the platform boasts 2,300 active users, the majority of whom are women. These users have collectively secured $800,000 in formal loans. Beyond just financial services, Aloi provides comprehensive training in financial and digital literacy, as well as business management. This training aims to reduce the vulnerability of micro-entrepreneurs to predatory lending practices. Aloi has established partnerships with six commercial banks in Nepal, further solidifying its presence in the financial sector.

A significant portion of Aloi’s users, 70%, are involved in sustainable agriculture (Krishala), while the remaining 30% are active in the electric vehicle sector(Bijulipower). Aloi currently supports 135 electric vehicles, showcasing its commitment to sustainable and green initiatives. Looking ahead, Aloi plans to work with 3,000 farmers in the coffee and dairy sectors in 2024. These farmers will receive training in climate-smart agricultural practices and support in accessing scale-up financing. Sonika is also exploring opportunities to expand Aloi’s operations to Indonesia, aiming to replicate their success in new markets.

Reflecting on her experience with One Young World, Sonika highlights the pivotal role it played in Aloi’s growth. 

“I went to One Young World as a Standard Chartered Ventures LEAD2030 Winner, and because of it we got connected with Standard Chartered bank in Nepal. That’s how we got our first commercial bank contract for Aloi and that’s still ongoing,” she notes.

One Young World: Empowering Young Leaders

One Young World is a global platform dedicated to empowering young leaders to create a fair and sustainable future. The organization’s community is truly global, encompassing young leaders, corporate partners, and supporters from every country and industry. This diverse community includes activists, humanitarians, world leaders, business leaders, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians, and innovators, all working together towards common goals.

With the largest corporate footprint of any organization in the third sector, One Young World partners with over 190 global businesses, NGOs, and educational institutions. Leading companies from various sectors integrate One Young World into their global talent development, retention, and attraction strategies. Each year, many of these companies deepen their involvement, underscoring their growing commitment to empowering young people.

The organization’s mission aligns closely with the work of leaders like Sonika Manandhar, who are driving change and fostering innovation in their communities. By providing a platform for young leaders to connect, collaborate, and amplify their impact, One Young World continues to play a crucial role in shaping a more equitable and sustainable world.

Reference: https://www.oneyoungworld.com/ambassador-projects/aloi 

References: a. 300 kg average coffee production in Nepal per farm (https://kathmandupost.com/money/2019/12/22/coffee-sector-performing-below-potential-due-to-archaic-ways ) x 11.82 kg CO2e mitigated per kg of coffee (i) / 1000 kg = 3.55 tCO2e mitigated per farm i. 15.33 kg CO2e per kg of coffee produced using traditional methods – 3.51 kg of CO2e per kg of coffee produced sustainably (https://old.risingnepaldaily.com/opinion/climate-friendlycoffee ) = 11.82 kg CO2e mitigated per kg of coffee b. $204 social cost of carbon (https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/regulation/epa-ups-estimates-for-the-social-cost-of-carbon/# ) c. 21,900 tCO2 mitigated over operational life cycle / 2,000 low-carbon vehicles introduced (https://www.ccacoalition.org/content/three-wheels-united# ) = 10.95 tCO2 mitigated per vehicle d. $4,726.60 PPP annual GDP per capita of Nepal (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD?contextual=region&locations=NP ) x 30% increase in GDP from financial inclusion efforts in frontier economies (https://www.lazardassetmanagement.com/uk/en_uk/references/fundamental-focus/financial-inclusion) = $1,417.98 PPP 

On Friday, New Business Age Pvt. Ltd. organized the fourth edition of ewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2024 in Kathmandu. This event aims to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women entrepreneurs.

With the slogan “Empowering Business Leadership of Nepali Women,” this year’s summit focused on “Strengthening Women’s Business Leadership.”

The event honored 12 outstanding women for their entrepreneurial contributions and societal impact. From which Sonika Manandhar, Co-founder of Aloi won the “Women in Tech” title. The following are the major titles and their respective winners. 

Photo Credit: Madan Lamsal

Category Winners:

• Best Woman Entrepreneur: Mausumii Shrestha, Director of Shreenagar Agro Group
• Lifetime Achievement Award in Women Entrepreneurship: Shyam Badan Shrestha, Founder of Nepal Knotcraft Centre Pvt Ltd
• Professional Woman of Excellence: Rita Pokharel, Director of InDrive
• Pioneer Social Entrepreneur of the Year: Vedika Murarka, Co-founder of Educase
• Women in Tech: Sonika Manandhar, Co-founder of Aloi

Awards were presented in 12 categories, including ‘Lifetime Achievement Award in Women Entrepreneurship,’ ‘Professional Woman of Excellence,’ ‘Pioneer Social Entrepreneur of the Year,’ ‘Women in Tech,’ and ‘Best Woman Entrepreneur.’ Additionally, one woman entrepreneur from each of the seven provinces in Nepal were awarded in the ‘Emerging Enterprising Woman of the Year’ category, with a prize money of NRs. 51000 each.

Emerging Enterprising Woman of the Year:

• Koshi Province: Maya Gurung of the sandalwood industry in Taplejung
• Madhesh Province: Sunaina Thakur of Sunaina Artski in Dhanusha
• Bagmati Province: Sapna Sapkota of Bella Kasa
• Gandaki Province: Geeta Nath of Karnali Garment Industry in Kaski
• Lumbini Province: Geeta Kumari Koiri Maurya of Banke Poultry Farm in Banke
• Karnali Province: Bhumisara Tomta of Shramjivi Masala Udyog in Surkhet
• Sudurpaschim Province: Savitri Ojha of Green Mountain Agricultural Development Firm in Dadeldhura

The program included a panel discussion on ‘Strengthening Women’s Business Leadership,’ featuring speakers such as Mahesh Bhattarai, Joint Secretary and Chief of Economic Management Division of the National Planning Commission; Swastika Shrestha, CEO of Teach for Nepal; Padmakshi Rana, Executive Director of Impact Hub Kathmandu; and Samanata Thapa, Co-founder and Program Head of Startup Discovery Asia.

Since 2021, New Business Age has organized this annual event to encourage and recognize the contributions of women entrepreneurs in Nepal. The winners in various categories were selected by an independent jury.

Distinguished guests, including Nepal Rastra Bank’s Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari and Supreme Court Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, attended the awards ceremony, serving as chief guests for the first and second halves of the event, respectively.

The NewBiz Business Women Summit and Awards 2024 not only showcased the achievements of these exceptional women but also inspired future entrepreneurs. Their stories of innovation, resilience, and dedication aims to shape a promising entrepreneurial landscape in Nepal.

References:

• ICT Frame
• New Business Age

NewBiz Business Women Awards 2024: Honoring Top Women Entrepreneurs in Nepal

Aloi has organized Women Mobility program, a two-wheeler program focusing on empowering women by creating a supportive ecosystem providing essential skills and job opportunities. In this program, we provide credit at a very low interest rate under understandable circumstances to train and guide the participants. Following are the criteria and details of the program. If you have any trouble understanding our program, please feel free to contact us.

Who can participate in our women mobility program? 

• Women who want to join the workforce but don’t know how to drive or lack access to capital
• Women supported by associations or NGOs
• Women interested in starting businesses in sectors like transportation, where driving and capital are crucial
• Young women pursuing education or vocational training aiming to enter fields requiring driving skills and capital
• Women looking for career advancement in roles like marketing and sales

The program is divided into three phases:

Phase 1: Training Loans

In the first phase, we will connect interested women to financial institutions that can provide loans to cover their training, licensing costs, and multiple trials if needed.

The first two months will be considered as a grace period where the borrower only needs to repay the interest amount. The full repayment of the loan starts two months after beginning the job. The repayment period is valid for 1 year and, also could be repaid on a daily/ weekly or monthly basis as per their convenience.

Our first phase of training includes:

• Preparation for written and trial exams
• Training on gear, traffic rules, and fall management
• Basic vehicle maintenance guidance
• Provision of protective gear (helmet, gloves)
• Up to 2 hours of extra road training
• 30 days of daily half-hour driving training
• Up to 2 trial attempts
• Driving training between trial attempts
• Testing knowledge on trial grounds

Phase 2: Leasing and Employment 

After the trained women obtain their licenses, participants can lease electric scooters from Aloi or our rental partners (Niu, Segway, Komaki, Yadea, Super Soco, etc.). They can work in our partnered logistics companies (Bhoj, Upaya, Pick N Drop, Khaanpin, etc.) with a stable salary and can also do ride-sharing for extra income. During this phase, we expect the women to save for the down payment to buy their own scooters. We would love to see empowered women with their own stable income.

Phase 3: Access to EV financing 

Once the down payment is saved, Aloi will help participants get financing from banks to purchase their own electric scooters. Aloi will also connect participants with EV vendors offering heavy discounts.

What to expect from our women mobility training program?

● Women who receive driving training for electric 2-wheelers will get the necessary skills

to operate these vehicles, thereby increasing their mobility and independence.

● Access to credit facilities will enable women to buy electric scooters on their own, allowing them to commute and earn income, achieving financial empowerment.

● Promoting electric scooters will reduce carbon emissions and air pollution, contributing to a sustainable transportation system.

● Increased female participation in logistics will prove women can excel in this industry, and boosting the adoption of electric vehicles, helping logistics companies reduce costs and support a healthier climate.

For more inquiries, please contact: Surbhi Mishra at surbhi@aloi.global or +977 9704554216/ +977 9818050662

If you are interested in what we do, please visit here.

Empowering Agriculture: Aloi’s Journey with Farmers

In peaceful surroundings where farmers’ hard work and hopes take root, Aloi has combined a tale of transformation and empowerment in the field of MSMEs in Nepal. Meet Aloi, the fintech innovator dedicated to revolutionizing agriculture across multiple sectors, from coffee and dairy to future horizons like tea and seeds. Here’s how Aloi’s journey happens in the heartlands of Nepal, impacting lives and shaping futures.

Coffee: Brewing Success

In the cloudy hills of Ilam, coffee isn’t just a crop; it’s a lifeline for hundreds of local farmers. Partnering with Karma Coffee and Agro Ilam, Aloi introduced digital tokens for finance, catalyzing investments that upgraded the equipment and elevated coffee quality. This initiative didn’t just increase farmers’ incomes by 30% and boost sales for Karma Coffee and Agro Ilam—it cultivated a thriving community where prosperity took root alongside aromatic beans. Aloi teamed up with Karma Coffee, Agro Ilam, and 200+ local farmers to digitally connect people from Gulmi, Lumle and other areas. 

Dairy: Nurturing Growth

Across the plains and valleys, Aloi joined hands with Central Dairy Cooperative Association Limited Nepal (CDCAN) and dairy cooperatives to empower dairy farmers. Digital tokens provided by Aloi facilitated investments in modernization, leading to a 20% increase in milk production efficiency and a 15% reduction in operating costs. Through tech training, farmers embraced sustainable practices and enhanced milk quality, paving the way for a resilient dairy sector poised for sustainable growth. We are conducting a training program where almost 1500+ farmers will be given the opportunity to join. And this training is run by CDCAN and Aloi. 

We have targeted the following areas: 

• Kathmandu 
• Bhaktapur 
• Lalitpur
• Chitwan 
• Tanahu
• Kavre
• Makwanpur

There will be 3 days of training

where 2 days are led by CDCAN covering the SMART climate funding and the final day is run by Aloi, giving training on Financial literacy.

Tea: Brewing a Bright Future

Photo Credit: Aakriti Gajurel

Looking ahead, Aloi envisions a partnership with tea’s premium clients, set to elevate the industry to new heights. By empowering tea producers with digital finance solutions, Aloi aims to boost production efficiency by 30% and reduce environmental impact by 20%. This collaboration promises increased incomes, sustainability and profitability across global markets. 

Seeds and Beyond: Cultivating Tomorrow

Photo Credit: Ayusha Maharjan

Beyond coffee and dairy, Aloi’s plans extends to other agricultural products like seeds, where digital finance and strategic partnerships will unlock new potentials for growth and sustainability. Farmers, once constrained by financial barriers, now find themselves equipped with the tools and support needed to flourish in a competitive market landscape.

Your Journey: From Dream to Reality

At Aloi, we’re more than finance; we’re about nurturing dreams and growth in agriculture. Imagine yourself as a farmer dedicated to your land, dreaming of expanding your farm and providing fresh produce to your community. Yet, financial barriers often stand in your way.

Enter Aloi, your dedicated fintech partner. We offer innovative digital token loans designed to provide the financial boost you need to turn your dreams into reality. With grit and determination, you seize this opportunity, using our support to expand your farm operations and increase your yields.

Our role doesn’t end there. We go beyond financing to connect you with trusted vendors eager to showcase your premium produce. This collaboration opens doors to local markets and upscale restaurants, where your products quickly gain recognition for their quality and freshness.

Supported by Aloi’s expertise and resources, you transform from a small-scale grower into a thriving commercial farmer. Your fields flourish, your community gains access to nutritious, locally grown food, and together, we cultivate a sustainable future where agriculture thrives.

We’re here to empower farmers like you, making dreams grow as we cultivate a brighter, greener tomorrow.

Conclusion: Cultivating Success, Together

In every field and every farmstead, Aloi is sowing seeds of evolution and reaping a harvest of prosperity. By empowering farmers with financial innovation and fostering sustainable practices, Aloi is not just transforming agriculture—it’s nurturing communities, bridging opportunities, and cultivating a future where every farmer and MSMEs businesses thrive. 

Join us on this journey to support the MSMEs in Nepal, where each success story is a testament to the power of partnership and the promise of a brighter, greener tomorrow.

Author: Malina Maharjan

Kathmandu, Nepal – June 19, 2024

Laxmi Sunrise Bank and Aloi are proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking the commencement of a strategic partnership aimed at exploring, evaluating, and potentially initiating and scaling sustainable and green financing through digital interventions.

This collaboration is set to enhance sustainable and green financing initiatives, reinforcing the commitment to environmental stewardship. Also, the partnership will strengthen the bank’s portfolio in the SME and MSME sectors, leveraging leads generated by Aloi to drive growth. By supporting the development of SMEs and MSMEs, this collaboration is poised to make significant contributions to economic progress, fostering job creation and enhancing their impact on the economy. Furthermore, the initiative will include financial literacy and banking-related educational programs for participants identified by Aloi, further solidifying the commitment to economic empowerment and community development.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Dipesh Amatya Chief-RFS at Laxmi Sunrise Bank, and Ms. Sonika Manandhar, Co-Founder and CTO of Aloi. Both parties are dedicated to identifying strategic opportunities within green and sustainable sectors, leveraging their strengths and networks to drive innovation and create impactful change.

This MOU underscores the shared vision of both Laxmi Sunrise Bank and Aloi to foster a sustainable future and drive positive environmental impact through collaborative efforts.

About Aloi:

Aloi is a software platform providing climate financing monitoring for grassroots entrepreneurs. Our software tracks business loan expenditures and repayment automatically to ensure sufficient support and building of trust between lenders and borrowers. For more information, please visit read more about us.

About Laxmi Sunrise Bank: 

Laxmi Sunrise Bank, a premier commercial bank licensed by the Central Bank of Nepal, Nepal Rastra Bank, continues to spearhead transformative initiatives in the Nepalese banking sector. With a wide network of branches nationwide offering a comprehensive range of retail and commercial banking services, Laxmi Sunrise Bank has cemented its position as a cornerstone of the country’s financial landscape via modern technology-driven banking products/services, a progressive business model, and social obligations. The bank aims to use finance to deliver sustainable and green economic, social, and environmental development.