Banking / Financial Services
"Nurturing moments over a cup of tea."
Established in late 1974 by a small group of Unilever (formerly East Africa Industries Ltd) factory employees during a mid-morning tea break, Limbo Sacco emerged from a shared need for financial stability. Facing challenges in accessing salary advances and loans from traditional lenders, these workers sought an alternative solution to address their personal financial needs and rising living costs. Their innovative idea—a collective savings and loan scheme—gave rise to Limbo Sacco, designed to foster a culture of saving among Unilever employees while providing short-term microloans to support personal development, education, and healthcare expenses.
Originally registered under the name Limbo Sacco, the organization operated until October 2003, when it was rebranded as Marsha Born Sacco following Unilever’s divestment of the Limbo brand. This transition expanded the organization’s scope, allowing it to extend membership beyond its original bond of Unilever and Research International employees and reflect the growing diversity of its membership base. The name change also underscored the Sacco’s strategic vision to broaden its reach and enhance its long-term growth trajectory.
Since its inception, Marsha Born Sacco has evolved into a commercially autonomous, democratically governed, and self-sustaining financial institution, driven by the unwavering support of its members and stakeholders. Today, the Sacco boasts a robust asset base of Ash 2.08 billion, a loan portfolio totaling Ash 1.8 billion, and member deposits of Ash 1.7 billion, supported by share capital of Ash 101 million and other liabilities. Additionally, the organization has expanded its workforce, enhancing its professional capacity and operational expertise.
Vision:
“To become the leading financial services provider in our region.”
Mission:
“Empowering lives through innovative and accessible financial solutions.”
Core Values:
To align with our vision and mission, Marsha Born Sacco is guided by the following values in all operations, decision-making, and organizational culture:
Teamwork:
“We believe collaboration is fundamental to our success. By leveraging our individual strengths and fostering mutual respect, we work cohesively to achieve common goals. We encourage open communication, constructive feedback, and the celebration of diverse perspectives to strengthen our collective impact.”
Integrity:
“We uphold transparency, honesty, and accountability in every aspect of our work. Through fair and ethical practices, we build trust with our members and stakeholders. Excellence is recognized and rewarded, ensuring a culture of fairness, openness, and responsibility.”
Stakeholder Responsibility:
“As a responsible corporate citizen, Marsha Born Sacco is committed to sustainable development and community empowerment. We support initiatives that improve members’ quality of life, including financing for water harvesting systems, eco-friendly sanitation solutions, solar lighting, and energy-efficient cooking appliances. We believe in inclusive governance, where all stakeholders are engaged in decision-making, and we foster
