WilmaFund is a model of an African Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) created in Tanzania as part of The WILMA Group and a subsidiary of the Washington-based World Institute for Leadership and Management in Africa (WILMA). The registered name of the Fund is WilmaFund Company Limited (Company Limited by Guarantee and Not Having Share Capital). It was registered in 2003 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, under the Companies Ordinance (CAP. 212).
WilmaFund and WILMA are working together to promote economic and social development in low-income and marginalized communities in Tanzania. These communities form community-based organizations that are formally certified by WILMA as Community Development Associations (or CDAs). The instrument for leadership of change is the formation and financing of profitable enterprises, hosted by these CDAs and organized as Community Enterprise LLCs (Limited Liability Companies). These Companies are located in these CDAs and address their sustainable development needs. They manage clusters of so-called social enterprises that address social and environmental needs as well as generate income and growing wealth. WilmaFund's focus is the identification of opportunities for, and making direct investments in, social enterprises of CDAs located in underserved regions of Tanzania - enterprises that would not meet the requirements of conventional lenders but that exhibit a high potential for value added, profitability, and growth.
The present leadership of WilmaFund comprises six Tanzanians, five nationals of other East African states, and two Americans.
Abedi, Gallus N., Special Assistant to the Executive Director, Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Mr. Abedi is Chairman of the Board of WilmaFund.
Armington, Paul S., President of WILMA, Washington D.C., USA. Mr. Armington is a Senior Advisor to the Board of WilmaFund.
Bash, Innocent L., Executive Director of WilmaFund, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Mr. Bash serves ex officio as Secretary of WilmaFund.
Bushako, Badru A., Executive Director of Relief and Sustainable Development Services, an NGO in Dar es Salaam cooperating with WilmaFund.
Jaycox, Edward V.K., Chairman of WILMA, Washington D.C.
Makamba, January A., Special Assistant to the President of Tanzania.
Mbilizi, Margaret A., Visiting Professor at Northern Illinois University (USA), on leave from University of Malawi, formerly Executive Director of the Bakili Muluzi Institute for Social and Economic Transformation (BMI), which is affiliated with WILMA.
Mwaibullah, David A., Tanzanian businessman and judge. Mr. Mwaibullah is Treasurer of WilmaFund.
Mwanga, Joyce, National Coordinator, Women's Economic Groups Coordinating Council, Arusha, Tanzania. Ms. Mwanga is Vice Chair of WilmaFund.
Ndegwa, Ann W., leader and sponsor of community development and education in Kenya, especially for women and girls. Founder of Kenya's YWCA. Sponsor of WILMA's program in Kenya.
Wai, Nyakwea, Executive Director of the Wai Charitable Trust for Girls' Education in South Sudan and widow of Dunstan M. Wai, one of the founders of WILMA.
Wanyama, Wilson, leader of WILMA's program in Uganda, active in organizational development for pro-poor community-based development in Uganda.
Zinyemba, Lyton Y., leader of WILMA's program in Malawi, active in organizational development for pro-poor community-based development in Malawi.