First Access is pioneering a system of financial profiles for the global informal sector, beginning in Tanzania.

First Access is a private, for-profit social business founded in New York and operating in East Africa. Our mission is to reduce the cost of lending and borrowing capital in informal economies, where most transactions are not traceable and people have limited financial records to demonstrate what they own or what they can earn.

We are building a low-cost, ultra-scalable system that not only creates value and jobs, but that leads to efficient social returns by expanding opportunities in informal markets – through credit for business, education, clean energy and home ownership.