Parbati Shrestha, 38, once spent her days managing household chores until she decided to take the wheel. With Aloi’s support, she became a Safa Tempo (three-wheeler) driver, proving that women can chart their own financial independence on Nepal’s roads. 

Now, with experience and confidence by her side, Parbati is ready for her next chapter upgrading from a three-wheeler to a four-wheeler EV. Her journey mirrors the growing opportunities in Nepal’s green mobility sector, strengthened by projects such as SET4NPL| Driving Sustainable Transportation with EV in Nepal to help more women like Parbati drive toward a cleaner, more inclusive future. 

Empowering Women, Powering Green Mobility 

Aloi Private Limited, established in 2019, is a fintech company bridging finance and sustainability. Through its digital lending solutions and it’s product: Bijulipower, Aloi has helped hundreds of micro-entrepreneurs access finance for green mobility and agriculture. 

SET4NPL is supported by the Mitigation Action Facility on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities (KEFM), the European Union, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF). 

Now, through a partnership with SET4NPL, Aloi is taking its mission a step further empowering women in the public transport sector of Kathmandu Valley by equipping them with the skills, licenses, and financial pathways needed to enter Nepal’s growing electric vehicle (EV) industry. 

The SET4NPL Women Driver Training Program 

This project, implemented by Aloi with SET4NPL’s support, focuses on assisting women who are eager to become electric microbus (EMB) drivers or owners. 

The goal is simple but transformative to increase women’s participation and leadership in Nepal’s green transport sector. 

Through this program participants receive: 

Comprehensive EV Driving Training 

1. B-category (car/microbus) license training 

2. Theoretical and practical sessions 

3. On-road and lab-based driving practice 

4. Introduction to electric vehicles and basic maintenance skills 

Empowerment and Capacity Building 

1. Confidence-building and leadership development sessions 

2. Road safety, public behavior, and communication skills 

License and Employment Support 

1. Step-by-step assistance throughout the licensing process 

2. Job linkages with EV companies, transport committees, or cooperatives 

3. Guidance for self-employment and entrepreneurship 

Priority is given to financially vulnerable women who are committed to attending the full training and are eager to build a livelihood through EV driving. 

A Journey Toward Independence 

For many participants, this program represents more than just learning a technical skill it’s a doorway to opportunity. 

The Bigger Picture 

Nepal’s transport system has long been a male-dominated professional, but the electric revolution offers a chance to rewrite that story. By combining green technology with inclusive finance and training, the the partnership between Aloi and SET4NPL is creating a future where women are at the forefront of clean mobility. 

Every trained driver is not just a driver but also a role model, a provider, and a pioneer in Nepal’s sustainable development journey. 

When women drive electric, Nepal doesn’t just move, it moves forward. 

About Aloi 

Aloi Private Limited is a fintech company empowering micro-entrepreneurs across Nepal through green finance and digital innovation. 

Aloi provides transparent, efficient, and inclusive financing for electric vehicles and sustainable agriculture. 

📍 Kuleshwor, Kathmandu 

🌐  set4nepal.org 

🌐 aloi.global  

 ✉️ hello@aloi.global 

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.

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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

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• 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

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