MiCrédito shows entrepreneurs how trust makes them thrive

In Nicaragua, far more is growing than fruit alone. Across the hills and valleys, between green fields and bustling village markets, small businesses are flourishing. Through hard work and passion? Absolutely. But what truly makes the difference is trust, the trust that MiCrédito, as a microfinance institution, places in farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs.

“We believe in the potential of our clients. If we can bring them closer to a stable future through financial support and guidance, then that’s what we’ll do,” says MiCrédito’s Director, Veronica Herrera.

 

Financing for farmers goes a long way

Anyone traveling through the regions of Masaya or Granada can see the results of that belief. Fields of pineapple and citrus trees color the landscape. It’s far from guaranteed that a farmer will have a successful harvest: the right fertilizers, tools, and equipment are essential. And to afford those, access to finance is key.

Denis confirms this. He is a farmer who grows tomatoes, chili peppers, onions, and corn in the countryside. Previously, he only had half a hectare of land, about the size of a soccer field. Thanks to a loan from MiCrédito, his business has grown to 8 to 10 hectares. He is grateful for the trust MiCrédito has placed in him. According to Denis, this trust goes hand in hand with taking responsibility. 

“When someone trusts you enough to lend you money, you have to be responsible with it. You use the money to make more profit and further build your business.”

Watch Denis' story here:

That feeling of mutual trust and responsibility is something MiCrédito tries to build in its relationships with entrepreneurs.

 

Entrepreneurship: A story of generations and traditions

For many entrepreneurs in Nicaragua, their story begins with family. That’s also true for Deylin, a young fruit farmer and single mother. She inherited a small plot of land from her parents, where she now grows pineapple, avocado, and dragon fruit.

 

 

“I was just getting by with my harvest until I received an agricultural loan from MiCrédito. With that, I could invest in better fertilizers and tools. That made all the difference,” she says.

Since then, her yields have grown, and she’s been able to hire five permanent workers. “What I have, I share,” Deylin says proudly. “My farm is our source of income. It’s the place where we build our future together.”

 

Fredys, too, grew up in a family business. For more than forty years, he has been a tailor and the owner of FRANCAP Uniforms. His mother encouraged him to learn the craft, his uncle taught him the skills, and today Fredys proudly continues that family tradition. With support from MiCrédito, he invested in modern equipment and materials. He now employs more than thirteen people, including several family members.

Every year, FRANCAP produces over 30,000 pairs of trousers for loyal clients across Nicaragua. The name itself carries special meaning: FRANCAP is made up of the initials of his children. For Fredys, love for family is woven into everything he does. His next dream is to open a second workshop in a nearby city, expanding production and creating even more local jobs.

 

 

What does MiCrédito actually do for entrepreneurs?

Trust is what makes all change possible. When a team like MiCrédito’s places its trust in you as an entrepreneur, you immediately begin to believe more in yourself. The team stays exceptionally close to its clients. They visit them in the most remote corners of Nicaragua, whether in their fields or small shops, and think through challenges together. In doing so, they become much more than just lenders.

“Many of the women we work with start a pulpería, a small convenience shop selling a bit of everything,” explains Juan Carlos from MiCrédito. “The problem is that there often isn’t enough local demand for that kind of store to really grow. So we help these women re-examine their plans: where is there a real need in the community, and how can they adapt their business to meet it? That requires courage to let go of what’s familiar. But with the right support and advice, many of them find a new direction that gives their business a future.”

 

 

As is often the case in countries across the Global South, many transactions in Nicaragua still happen in cash. MiCrédito’s clients can make loan payments directly at the office, but if a branch is too far away, they can easily deposit money through local supermarket cashiers using MiCrédito’s account number. It’s a simple but powerful system, one that helps thousands of entrepreneurs take practical steps toward financial independence and security.

 

From nothing to the produce section of Walmart

Small dreams that keep growing? That’s something Alber knows all about. 

“I had absolutely nothing when I first came to MiCrédito,” he recalls. “But look at me now…  With the money from my microloan, I bought a truck and hired employees. Do you know where my dragon fruit ends up today? On the shelves at Walmart in the United States! Who would have ever imagined that?”

Watch Alber’s story here:

 

Mery also started from scratch, after losing her job as a domestic worker due to a complicated situation. Through MiCrédito’s Mujer Emprende program, which is focused on helping women entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, she found a new path. With her first loan, she began selling perfumes and beauty products. As her income increased, she expanded into clothing sales. Together with her husband, she now bought a horse and cart to deliver products to customers in surrounding areas.

“I’ve become more financially independent, and that restored my confidence. But this is just the beginning,” Mery says. “I dream of owning a shop someday. This would give my family more security and stability.”

 

 

Why are specific programs for female entrepreneurs important?

In countries where women often have fewer opportunities than men, small loans and strong financial guidance can make a world of difference. They empower women to take control of their own futures, build stability for their families, and save for their children’s education.

 

Want to help empower more women like Mery?

On Lendahand, you’ll regularly find projects with the label 'Female Entrepreneurs'. That label means the financial institution, like MiCrédito, actively supports women through dedicated programs and lending strategies. A project receives this label when more than 60% of its loans go to women.

Visit our project page to explore the latest opportunities to invest. Each has its own unique blend of impact, interest rate, and maturity.