# Urban Housing Banks Jamii Bora is a Microfinance Institution Based in Nairobi, Kenya By Tiana Reid | Published 2013-05-19 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jamii-bora References: [acumen.org](http://acumen.org/investment/jamii-bora/) & [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JamiiBoraBankLtd) Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Jamii Bora is a microfinance institution -- one of the largest and fastest growing in the country -- that started out specifically as a way to deal with urban housing. "Started as a club of fifty beggars in 1999, Jamii Bora Trust is the largest microfinance institute in Kenya and has more than 170,000 members. Its mission: to assist members to get out of poverty," writes the [Acumen Fund](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/catalyst-program) on the organization. "Jamii Bora Trust works in slums throughout Kenya, providing access to critical services such as [affordable housing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bamboo-housing) and education and offering a support network to enable economic self-empowerment." Fusing technology, innovation and community, Jamii Bora repaid Acumen on its investment by 2007. **Contact Information** Jamii Bora [website](http://jamiiborabank.co.ke/) Jamii Bora on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JamiiBoraBankLtd) Jamii Bora on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/JamiiBoraBank) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 28% | Activity: 47% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Microfinance Institutions:** The use of microfinance institutions to assist members in poverty is a disruptive innovation opportunity in the finance industry. - **Affordable Housing Solutions:** Developing and implementing innovative and affordable housing solutions in urban areas is a disruptive innovation opportunity in the real estate industry. - **Community-based Approaches:** Employing community-based approaches to address urban poverty is a disruptive innovation opportunity in the nonprofit sector. ### Where This Applies - **Finance:** The finance industry can leverage microfinance institutions to facilitate poverty alleviation and community empowerment in urban areas. - **Real Estate:** The real estate industry can capitalize on innovative and affordable housing solutions to address the urban housing crisis. - **Nonprofit:** The nonprofit sector can employ community-based approaches to achieve sustainable development goals and alleviate urban poverty. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Kenyan E-Bike Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-boda.md) - [Collaborative Homelessness Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/homelessness-crisis.md) - [AI-Powered Farming Insights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/safaricom.md) - [Charitable Building Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/james-hardie.md) - [Low Income-Targeted Payroll Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/b9.md) - [Local Economic Growth Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/local-economic-growth.md) - [Rural Dairy Farm Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dairy-farm1.md) - [Savings-Focused Youth Accounts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/absa-bank-tanzania.md) - [Digital Banking Service Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mahalo-banking.md)