On December 1, 2023, the Microcredit Fund IMON (MCF “IMON”) announced the launch of the “Online Accelerator for Women and Youth” project to be realized under the financial support of USAID’s Future Growth Initiative, and in partnership with the National Association of Business Women of Tajikistan (NABWT) and Madcat World Sdn Bhd (MADCash), Malaysia.

The “Online Accelerator for Women and Youth” project is aimed at supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and young business leaders with promising ideas. The project’s goal is to promote business expansion and its sustainable growth by providing access to education, financial support and expert guidance. The project will provide startups with unique tools, including training, mentoring and financial assistance.

The “Online Accelerator for Women and Youth” project to become completely virtual via digital technologies. It is based on an adapted digital platform with training, consulting, mentoring, remote financing and pitching functions. The MADCash platform as a key component of a project that is developed by Malaysia entrepreneurs with tracking function of customer payments and generating an alternative credit rating.

The “Online Accelerator for Women and Youth” project promotes the creation of strong and competitive businesses, and encourages employment and self-employment among vulnerable groups, including women and youth in Tajikistan.

USAID's Future Growth Initiative (FGI) works to increase the competitiveness of high-growth industries in Central Asia through a market systems approach that incentivizes private and public sector behavior change.

More information: FGICentralAsia

Microcredit Fund “IMON” (MCF “IMON”) is the largest microcredit fund in the Republic of Tajikistan, providing a full range of financial services, including microlending, financial leasing, Islamic banking, and financial consulting for all business sectors. It has been operating since 2005 under a license issued by the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT). MCF IMON’s mission is to assist in improve living standards and quality by providing advanced financial, business, educational and consultancy services. In February 2020, MCF “IMON” received an NBT license to provide Islamic banking services and successfully launched an Islamic Banking Window (IBW).

More information: MCF “IMON”

The National Association of Business Women of Tajikistan (NABWT) is a national membership, non-profit organization, devoted to giving more low-income women access to economic and financial resources, which enable them to build security and prosperity. The mandate of the Association is to expand economic rights and opportunities for women providing them with economic empowerment. NABWT is currently one of the biggest non-commercial organizations working in support of women-entrepreneurs and financial inclusion.

More information: NABWT

Madcat World Sdn Bhd (MADCash) founded in Malayasia in 2019, is an organization that provides access to micro-funds and training for women who are in a critical need to start or upgrade a micro business as a new or additional income stream for the household. For this purpose, MADCash provides a platform for individuals and organizations to access micro-funds and entrepreneurship training which are distributed to qualified women.

More information: MADCash