Mali is entering a new and exciting phase of growth, one that reflects the realities of our economy and the needs of the people we serve. For a long time, the microfinance sector mainly focused on salaried workers, which left many hardworking South Africans overlooked. Today, Mali is proud to support a much wider range of clients, including those who earn a living through small businesses, side hustles, and self-employment.

This shift is an important development for our organisation, but more importantly, it represents progress for the communities we serve. Our goal has always been to provide fair, responsible and accessible financial support. By expanding our reach, we are opening the door for millions of individuals who previously had limited access to credit simply because they did not have a traditional payslip.

South Africa has a vibrant and diverse informal and micro-enterprise sector. People earn income through mobile trading, tailoring, hairdressing, delivery work, catering, cleaning services, repairs, construction, transport, and a wide range of entrepreneurial activities. These individuals play a major role in sustaining households and driving local economies, yet they have historically struggled to access financial support due to rigid lending requirements.

Mali recognises this gap and is committed to being part of the solution. We now assess both salaried and self-employed applicants using a flexible yet responsible approach. Instead of relying solely on payslips, we evaluate real income activity. This may include business bank statements, mobile money records, invoices, stock receipts, customer payments, or any form of trading evidence that shows a stable and genuine source of income. Our focus is on understanding the customer’s real financial life, not limiting them to outdated documentation.

Supporting self-employed and small-business owners is not simply about offering loans; it is about enabling progress. Many entrepreneurs operate with limited resources, using basic tools, rented equipment, or manual processes that restrict their income. By providing access to affordable and transparent credit, Mali gives these individuals the opportunity to purchase essential tools, grow their operations, and improve their income potential.

At the same time, our support for salaried individuals remains strong. We continue to offer safe and responsible payday loans designed to help with urgent needs, school fees, family responsibilities, and unexpected expenses. Our approach ensures that all customers—regardless of how they earn—are assessed fairly, treated with respect, and protected through affordability checks and secure DebiCheck repayments.

Expanding our customer base also aligns with Mali’s long-term mission of creating real impact in South Africa. When entrepreneurs grow, families thrive. When parents can pay school fees on time, children progress without interruption. When individuals can access responsible credit instead of unregulated lenders, financial stress is reduced, and dignity is restored. These are the outcomes that drive our work every day.

This update marks a meaningful shift in who Mali serves, but our values remain unchanged. We remain committed to transparency, responsible lending, and supporting customers with credit that strengthens—not harms—their financial journey. By embracing both salaried and self-employed borrowers, we are building a more inclusive and responsive microfinance offering, one that reflects the realities of modern South Africa.

As Mali continues to evolve, we remain focused on one purpose: to empower people with financial solutions that help them move forward confidently, whether in their homes, businesses, or personal goals.