Fintech Revolution Economic Empowerment NPC (FREE)
A Non-Profit Company focused on using fintech to increase financial inclusion in the informal sector, support sector formalisation, and help MSMEs close the financing and investment gap so they can operate at every level of the economy.
Mission & Vision
FREE exists to support South Africans whose livelihoods are rooted in the informal economy.
Mission Statement
FREE exists to implement fintech solutions that improve the lives of South Africans who have livelihoods in the informal sector.
Vision Statement
FREE aims to become a pillar of support for the informal sector of South Africa, transforming operations and leading the sector toward formalisation.
Our Values
The principles that guide FREE’s work with communities, funders, beneficiaries, and informal sector stakeholders.
- SA People First: FREE uses fintech to support operations in the informal sector and help uplift communities affected by poverty, unemployment, and social protection challenges.
- Fiduciary Duty: FREE has a duty to the sector it serves and acts in its best interests.
- Transparency: FREE operates with transparency to beneficiaries and funders, with regular reporting to stakeholders.
- Inspiration: FREE aims to provide leadership in a sector that millions rely on and help make it a greater success for all beneficiaries.
- Integrity: FREE conducts its initiatives in compliance with governance standards.
Our Strategic Plan
FREE aims to unlock more than R10 million toward the reformation of the informal sector, helping transform South African lives by reducing poverty, hunger, unemployment, and barriers to education over the next two years.
Service Offering
The NPC provides support services designed to strengthen and formalise the informal sector.
Concessionary Funding
Raising concessionary funding to address social protection, financing gaps, economies of scale, legal compliance, and infrastructure investment in the informal sector.
Policy Advocacy
Providing policy advocacy so the informal sector has a stronger voice in shaping fair, just, and practical operating conditions.
Training & Awareness
Providing training and awareness campaigns to help informal sector participants access knowledge, tools, and opportunities.
FREE Target Markets
FREE’s work focuses on groups and individuals operating across South Africa’s informal and community-based economy.
- Informal sub-sector operators: Hawkers, transportation operators, convenience store owners, artisan businesses, car workshops, food businesses, liquor stores, and other informal operators.
- Formalised intermediaries: Co-operative financial institutions, co-operative banks, lending institutions, and friendly associations.
- Formalised groupings: Co-operatives, associations, trade unions, stokvels, and similar organised community structures.
- Other informal sector operators: Additional participants and businesses working within the informal economy.
Built for the community
Our strategy centers on enabling financial inclusion for underserved communities. eKash provides the digital tools for collective prosperity.
- Intuitive group account management
- Transparent member contributions with detailed tracking
- Bank-level security accessible to everyone
- Community-focused features that strengthen bonds