By Rabiu Alhassan Elkanawi

KAYI Microfinance Bank is at the forefront of expanding digital financial services to underbanked communities in Northern Nigeria, particularly through its Grassroots Engagement and Empowerment Programme. By focusing on Tsangaya (Almajiri) schools, which traditionally provide Islamic education but often struggle financially, the bank offers a model that fuses financial literacy, technological tools, and community-based enterprise. This practical approach to financial inclusion aims to unlock the economic potential of marginalized populations while respecting local traditions and educational structures.
Central to this model is the provision of a five-million-naira grant package for each participating Tsangaya school. This funding covers the cost of Point-of-Sale (POS) machines and training in both financial literacy and business management. As a result, each school can establish and operate a cash point business, enabling nearby residents to deposit, withdraw, and transfer funds without traveling long distances. By fostering these local “banking hubs,” the programme not only mitigates logistical barriers but also encourages a culture of savings and financial responsibility in areas previously overlooked by formal financial institutions.

KAYI Microfinance Bank’s strategy goes beyond hardware distribution. Its training modules equip school leaders, students, and administrators with critical skills in accounting, customer service, and entrepreneurial management. Over time, these Tsangaya schools transition into community-driven economic centers, helping their communities diversify income streams and reduce street begging. By integrating business principles into the educational framework, the programme cultivates an environment where students can learn practical finance skills alongside religious teachings, bridging the gap between education and enterprise.

Leadership at KAYI Microfinance Bank has played a key role in steering this initiative. Chaired by Alhaji Saadina Hamidu Dantata, the bank’s direction underscores a broader, institution-wide commitment to community development rather than mere profit-making. Government agencies and local policymakers also stand to bolster the programme’s reach by providing regulatory support, subsidies, or policy frameworks that encourage replication in additional locations. Such collaborations could accelerate the pace of financial inclusion and economic growth across the region.

Looking ahead, KAYI Microfinance Bank remains focused on refining its Grassroots Engagement and Empowerment Programme. The goal is to replicate and scale up the model, ensuring that more remote communities in Northern Nigeria can enjoy consistent access to financial services, training, and technology. With education and enterprise working hand in hand, the initiative highlights how inclusive financial strategies—rooted in local culture and community involvement—can fuel sustainable development for generations to come.

Rabiu Alhassan Elkanawi writes from Kano and he can be reached via alhassanelkanawi@gmail.com

By Rabiu Alhasan Elkanawi

KAYI Microfinance Bank has unveiled a groundbreaking digital financial inclusion program focused on Tsangaya Schools (commonly known as Almajiri schools) in Northern Nigeria. This visionary initiative is designed to bridge the gap between underserved communities and the digital banking system, thereby fostering economic growth and societal development. By targeting these non-formal learning centers, the bank aims to uplift remote communities where many residents have long struggled to access essential financial services.
Northern Nigeria has traditionally faced significant hurdles in achieving comprehensive financial inclusion. Vast distances, poor banking infrastructure, and a lack of trust in formal financial institutions often discourage many people from engaging with banks. Recognizing these challenges, KAYI Microfinance Bank is piloting a model that trains and equips Tsangaya schools starting with four states—Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, and Jigawa—to serve as community champions for digital financial access.

Under this initiative, each participating Tsangaya school receives a robust package valued at five million Naira, comprising comprehensive business management and financial literacy training, POS device and startup funds. By bringing deposit, withdrawal, and fund transfer services closer to the grassroots, the program significantly reduces the physical distance many have to travel to conduct everyday transactions. This localized approach not only boosts trust in formal banking but also enhances local economies by circulating money within the community.

A hallmark of this program is its strong emphasis on education and empowerment. KAYI Microfinance Bank collaborates with malams (teachers and overseers of Tsangaya schools) and their students (almajirai) to ensure they acquire relevant skills in financial literacy, business management, and customer service. Rather than simply providing technology, the bank invests in the human capacity necessary to maintain and grow these new cash point businesses. Over time, Tsangaya schools become pivotal economic hubs in their neighborhoods, directly addressing issues such as street begging by offering pathways to self-reliance and entrepreneurship.

What sets KAYI’s effort apart from other financial inclusion drives is its clear focus on integrating community development with formal financial systems. By rooting its training programs in the cultural and educational fabric of Tsangaya schools, KAYI fosters a spirit of ownership among participants. Almajirai and malams, who once had limited exposure to modern banking, now find themselves operating as financial intermediaries. Their schools become not just places of learning, but also platforms for sustainable business ventures that transform their local communities.

The success of this laudable initiative, also relies on support from policymakers and government agencies. Government can amplify the program’s reach by providing subsidies and interventions through this grassroots program. This will help replicate and scale this model across other parts of Northern Nigeria.
KAYI Microfinance Bank’s approach offers a powerful template for bridging the gap between remote communities and the wider financial ecosystem. By merging technology, education, and cultural sensitivity, the bank is forging a pathway for inclusive economic participation, one that could reshape the socio-economic landscape of Northern Nigeria. Rural dwellers, who once had little or no access to formal banking, can now save money safely, receive funds without traveling long distances, and even invest in small enterprises.

As the project evolves, it promises to be a catalyst for reducing poverty, curtailing unemployment, and spurring local entrepreneurship. By presenting Tsangaya schools as models, KAYI is demonstrating that even the most marginalized communities can embrace innovative financial solutions when they are carefully tailored to their unique needs. This marks a new chapter for Northern Nigeria, where financial inclusion is no longer a distant aspiration but an attainable reality—one that holds the promise of a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

Rabiu Alhassan Elkanawi writes from Kano and he can be reached via alhassanelkanawi@gmail.com

In an age characterized by digital disruption, Abubakar Sadiq Umar has established himself as an interesting entrepreneur. Sadiq’s professional experience stretches across borders and industries, and he has built a name for himself as a man who delivers his ambition, the latest being his mentorship platform, AltMentor. His endeavor does not only change the intersection between technology and mentorship but also serves a larger purpose which is advancing Africa’s place in the global technology story.

The Seed of Innovation: Envestlab’s Rise
For Abubakar Sadiq, creativity started with Envestlab, a venture aimed at nurturing the tech ecosystem of Northern Nigeria. The annual tech conferences of EnvestLab as well as vigorous hackathon competitions have become an important landmark for entrepreneurs. These conferences go beyond the superficial trappings of networking; they are fertile grounds where ideas meet execution.
With the aid of Envestlab, Sadiq gives chances to young inventors to come together, showcase their ideas, and obtain sufficient resources to kick start their projects. The hackathons have been transformed into a trademark of the initiative where select novel business ideas are recognized and nurtured.
It is in such a glare of creativity and competition that Sadiq’s philosophy comes into action. He has always sought to say that Africa does not receive technology. It provides it, this is the idea that inspired the creation of EnvestLab.
A Marketing Virtuoso

Prior to his entrepreneurial journey, Abubakar Sadiq nurtured his craft through positions that placed him at the forefront of technology. As the Head of Digital Marketing, Northflix experienced his flair for engaging with the audience. He was able to implement the company’s brand further through campaigns based on data analysis and telling of stories, especially in the rather crowded cyberspace.

Abubakar Sadiq Umar

Charting a Global Career in Blockchain
Furthering his range of skills, his time at Green Life Energy (GLE), a UK based renewable energy blockchain startup, introduced him to decentralized technologies. In view of this, Sadiq, as Project Manager and Director of Partnerships, made attempts at bridging the gaps towards the adoption of Blockchain and devising methods to use the still young form of technology.
Remarkably, Abubakar Sadiq was named Binance Blockchain Week Dubai 2022 Star of the Day, standing out among thousands of attendees. This award marked his rising stature in the global technological arena and marked his prowess in linking new inventions with practical use.

Sadiq’s career progressed in tandem with Gameness, a Turkish company involved in esports and focused on the blockchain industry which was once known as NerfIT. In Gameness, as the Head of Partnerships, Sadiq strategically aligned the company’s blockchain offerings to be tempered and adapted with the rapidly changing needs of the eSports environment. These experiences rounded out his skill set, equipping him with a nuanced understanding of both product innovation as well as market positioning, both of which are fundamental to successful entrepreneurial ventures.

AltMentor: The Next Frontier in Mentorship
As per Sadiq, that’s why his latest Startup, AltMentor, is timely as well as ambitious. With the focus on commencement in the first quarter of 2025, the platform seeks a different approach to mentorship. AltMentor connects mentors with mentees through a fee-based model, creating a sustainable ecosystem where knowledge sharing becomes both accessible and rewarding.
To Sadiq, AltMentor is not merely a business; it is a movement. At its core is the belief that mentorship structured, personalized, and goal-oriented has the power to transform lives. “Everyone deserves access to the wisdom of those who have walked the path before them,” he says, articulating a vision that is as inclusive as it is ambitious.
The platform’s goal of reaching a $100 million valuation within 24 months is backed by its robust scalability and global appeal. AltMentor aims to connect millions of users, from young professionals seeking guidance to seasoned experts looking to impart their knowledge. The dual benefit of empowering mentors while equipping mentees positions the platform as a potential game-changer in Africa’s education and professional development landscape.
The Broader Vision

Sadiq’s work with AltMentor and Envestlab reflects a broader narrative: the recalibration of Africa’s place in global innovation. By focusing on mentorship and entrepreneurship, he addresses two critical gaps that often hinder the continent’s growth: access to knowledge and the support needed to scale ideas.
His dream is larger than those associated with the platforms he has developed. Sadiq sees Africa as the next big tech powerhouse, not for replicating others’ inventions, but for creating original ones. By nurturing the culture of mentorship and supporting entrepreneurs, he is building a system where the next generation will be empowered to prosper.

A Legacy in the Making

Sadiq has an inspiring story to tell as his tale depicts the promise and growth potential as the launch of AltMentor is approaching. His belief in innovation and collaboration is unwavering as we can see from his journey of supporting startups at Envestlab throughout the birth of AltMentor and everything in between.
It is as transformative as it is enticing for Investors, mentors and mentees to be a part of AltMentor venture. He has been vocal about the purpose of the platform and considering his previous milestones it’s safe to say that the venture is targeted towards making profits while also solving critical problems.

Abubakar Sadiq Umar is a leader with a vision, and in his envisioned world technology does not only solve problems but rather creates a multitude of opportunities. He is the person who has dreams but even more importantly acts. He is able to demonstrate how the continent of Africa and the world at large can innovate and develop.

Rukayya Sani Ashir writes from Kano.
She can be reached via email saniashirrukayya@gmail.com