Sbongile Shongwe
Manzini
Summary
Dedicated Development Finance Specialist with 15 years of experience in microfinance, agricultural finance, development finance, community savings groups. Proven ability to design, implement, and monitor financial programs that empower rural communities. Strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of rural livelihoods and financial needs.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director
Imbita Swaziland Women’s Finance Trust
01.2010 - Current
- Reporting to Imbita Board, my role is being in charge of the overall management of Imbita, including providing clear leadership and direction to the organisation, ensuring solid operating and financial performance, recruiting and developing the talent needed to accomplish high performance standards and overseeing new operational systems and procedures
- I also have a primary responsibility for achieving the ambitious growth strategy developed by Imbita and its stakeholders, and for positioning the MFI as a leading provider of high quality financial services to the low income
- This include assuming leadership in four key areas: Overall management and governance, Strategic planning and business development, Human resource and talent development, Communications and external stakeholder relations
Kiva Fellow
02.2017 - 07.2018
- My role was providing technical support on portfolio management in the following Kiva partners: Micro Loan Foundation and Zoona in Malawi, African Clean Energy in Lesotho, Zoona in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique
- Effectively managed donor projects for the following international donors: IFAD agricultural loans fund in partnership with FINCLUDE under Centre for Financial Inclusion; W.K
- Kellogg Foundation – Training farmers along the Lubombo Plateu in drought resistant farming; Currently managing the Self Help Groups Concept in Swaziland, Implemented by 10 NGOs funded by the Kinder Not Hilfe, a German based organisation
- Appointed a judge by Techno Serve - Begin Believe and Become Business Plan Competition
Self Help Groups National Coordinator
09.2003 - 01.2010
- Reporting to: Programme Director - Africa Desk Officer in Germany
- General Description: Reporting to the Director and Africa Desk Officer in Germany, I was responsible for the management of Self Help Groups (savings clubs)
- This included training officers from the implementing partners on the SHG concept, ensuring that all books are well recorded, reports are well written and submitted and monitor the indicators, impact and set targets
- I was also responsible for marketing the concept to various NGOs, cooperatives and Government
Finance Administrator
Imbita Finance Trust
08.1997 - 08.2003
- Reporting to: Programme Director
- General Description: Reporting to the Director, I was responsible for the efficient and effective recording, management, forecasting and reporting of Imbita’s finances and for the administration and human resource functions
- This included the management of administration staff, training functions and management information systems with Imbita
Business Trainer
Imbita Finance Trust
09.1997 - 07.1997
- General description: Training Imbita clients in Business management
- Providing support to clients in developing business plans;
- Providing support to clients in business management and record keeping;
- Mentor and provide on-site support on business management to clients
- Site visit businesses that are not paying their loans timely to provide support where needed
- Achievements: Digitizing Imbita products for clients to use their phones to transact and access Imbita services from wherever they are
Education
MA - Development Studies
University of the Free State
01.2017
Post Graduate Diploma - Development Finance
University of Stellenbosch
01.2015
BA - Education
University of Swaziland
10-2013
Certificate - Microfinance Management
University of Pretoria
01.2013
B. Com - Accounting
Regent Business School
01.2010
AAT Technician Level 3 -
Swaziland College of Technology
01.1999
Skills
- Financial Management
- Management
- Development Finance Operations
- Product Design
- Strategy Formulation
- Implementation
- Savings Groups Facilitation
- Credit Analysis
- Risk Assessment
- Financial Literacy Training
- Data Analysis
- Reporting
- Project Management
- Relationship Building
- Networking
- Loan Disbursement
- Portfolio Management
- Human Resources Management
- Incentive Policy Formulation
- Cost Reduction Strategies
- Turn Around Strategy for SMEs
- Entrepreneurship Training
- Business Plan Execution
- Small Scale Enterprise Development
- Computer Skills
- Ms Office
- Pastel Accounting
- QuickBooks
- Internet
- Statistica
- Loan Performer
Accomplishments
- Digitizing Imbita products for clients to use their phones to transact
- Kiva Fellow from 02/01/17 to 07/31/18
- Effectively managed donor projects for various international donors
Languages
Swati
English
Personal Information
Nationality: Swati
References
- Ms. Stieneke Samuel, Regional Project Manager, Regional Economic Development, +27725177920, SSamuel@thedti.gov.za, 77 Meinjies Street, Sunnyside, 002
- Dr. Phindile Dlamini, Imbita Chairperson, University of Eswatini, +268 76029217, pdlamini@uniswa.sz
Othercoursesandtraining
- Self Help Groups Approach Training, 6 weeks, India, 2009
- Development of Training Materials for Master Trainers, Technoserve, 2014
- Gender Mainstreaming, 2 weeks, Skillshare International, 2012
- Training in Financing SME’s, 3 weeks, Singapore, 2010
- Leadership Development Programme, 1 year, Simmons Dickson, 2016
- Entrepreneurship & Business Management Training of Trainers, 3 weeks, Turin, Italy, 2014
- Managing Credit Schemes for SME’s, 3 weeks, Turin, Italy, 2013
Timeline
Kiva Fellow
02.2017 - 07.2018
Executive Director
Imbita Swaziland Women’s Finance Trust
01.2010 - Current
Self Help Groups National Coordinator
09.2003 - 01.2010
Business Trainer
Imbita Finance Trust
09.1997 - 07.1997
Finance Administrator
Imbita Finance Trust
08.1997 - 08.2003
Post Graduate Diploma - Development Finance
University of Stellenbosch
Certificate - Microfinance Management
University of Pretoria
B. Com - Accounting
Regent Business School
AAT Technician Level 3 -
Swaziland College of Technology
MA - Development Studies
University of the Free State
BA - Education
University of Swaziland
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