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This chapter presents case studies that explore the structures of indigenous savings group practices in Nigeria. Indigenous savings groups in Nigeria can be categorised as either unstructured, semi-structured or structured. These categorisation of savings groups can follow two patterns, which include Rotating Savings and Credit Associations (ROSCAs) and Accumulated Savings and Credit Associations (ASCAs). Through a qualitative case analysis of savings practices in Nigeria, we observed that the indigenous savings groups have similar goals and orientations, though their operating structures differ. The chapter highlighted the relative theme that cuts across these cases, and insightful recommendations are provided for upscaling and adopting indigenous savings groups in Nigeria and Africa. The chapter also discusses the role of government in facilitating savings and credit disbursement to groups. The implications for business actors and the government are highlighted.

Traditional savings and credit associations, also known as ‘Osusu’ in Sierra Leone, are unions of individuals with common economic goals aimed at reducing poverty and economic vulnerability. The chapter examined the ecosystem of traditional indigenous savings and credit associations, their role as an emerging financial inclusion strategy, and contributions to the socio-economic transformation of business processes in the ecosystem of business operations in Sierra Leone. The chapter adopted the case study method to discuss the Tawoponneh model of ROSCAs in Sierra Leone. The institutional theory provided insight into why individuals join ROSCAs, as well as the resulting outcomes and benefits. Additionally, this chapter discusses the challenges associated with indigenous financial sustainability practices and provides actionable recommendations for joint private and government policy collaboration in supporting traditional entrepreneurial businesses.

Rotating Savings and Credit Associations (RoSCAs) are informal lending groups widely found in many developing countries around the globe. This chapter studies the interest-free RoSCAs in Egypt and how it compares to other RoSCAs in Africa. The chapter also examines the possible motives for RoSCA participation employing a primary dataset collected from Cairo, the Egyptian capital. The motives studied include access (or lack thereof) to the formal banking sector, religiosity, self-control, and social preferences. Trust and trustworthiness among RoSCA participants are also studied. The chapter shows that RoSCA participation is very popular among the sample respondents regardless of income levels, access to formal banking and religious views. RoSCAs, however, are shown to play an important role as a commitment device for savings and investment, including human capital accumulation when the self-control level is moderate or low. Social preferences and trust levels, on the other hand, are not found to be significantly different for RoSCA and non-RoSCA participants.