Case studies

Savings and business

Training savings group members in business skills contributes to economic growth and job creation in communities

Written by Mawousse Tchegnon 2025 Available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French

A large group of Togolese women, children and men sit on wooden benches under a tree with thatched houses made from red earth in the background.

A Restore savings group meeting in Togo. Photo: Mawousse Tchengnon/Chalmers Center

Two ladies in Ethiopia hold out their hands and share coins with each other against a background of colourful clothing.

From: Savings and credit groups - Footsteps 123

Meeting together to save money, access loans and provide mutual support can result in significant positive change

Mathias Noubouke is a successful businessman in Togo. He owns two thriving school and office supply stores.

Mathias’ business journey started when he joined a Restore savings group facilitated by his church.

As well as learning how to save, Mathias was given the option to receive additional business training using a curriculum developed by Chalmers Center in response to requests from church leaders.

The curriculum has four modules:

Plan a better business: what makes a good business; talking about and testing ideas with customers; production planning; business costs; preparing for unexpected events.
Manage your business money: household and business money management; using profits for business and home finances; use of loans; preventing loss.
Increase your sales: understanding and responding to customers; adding value; seizing opportunities; locations; pricing; promoting your business.
Use wisdom in saving: setting savings goals; increasing savings; managing months when income is lower (seasonal activities); facing unexpected personal emergencies; savings protection; achieving goals.

A Togolese man wearing a pink and black patterned shirt stands in his well-stocked school and office supply shop.

After joining a savings group and receiving business training, Mathias has become a successful businessman. Photo: Mawoussee Tchegnon/Chalmers Center

Business planning

After completing the training, Mathias carried out market research and discovered that there was a need for an office and school supply store in a neighbouring community. After developing a business plan, he used a loan from his savings group to buy materials to launch his first store.

The store was very successful, providing much needed access to school, business and other materials. The success of this store led him to open a second one on the outskirts of the country’s capital, Lomé, which he employed his brother to run.

Impact

Since 2013, approximately 10,000 savings groups have been trained by Chalmers Center in savings and business, representing about 150,000 people.

The majority of these have used the training to either improve existing businesses or start new ones. This is contributing to economic growth and job creation in their communities.

The business training has also led to an increased demand for loans from savings groups, as people like Mathias recognise the potential to expand and improve their businesses.