BUSINESS & ECONOMY · ENGLISH

Inside the markets powering the city's informal economy

Traders are building new ways to save, borrow and grow—without waiting for traditional banks to catch up.

By Fatima Mohamed Abdillahi9 Aug 20261 min read

For thousands of traders, financial innovation happens through relationships, rotating savings groups and practical digital tools. These systems move money quickly and help small businesses manage risk.

Their growth raises a central policy question: how can formal institutions support what already works without stripping away the trust and flexibility that made it useful?

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