Zidisha is a Y Combinator nonprofit and the first P2P microlending community to connect lenders and borrowers directly across international borders.



People in developing countries support their families with their own small businesses. They need loans in order to grow - but local banks charge exorbitant interest rates: 37% is the global average for microfinance loans, and even Kiva borrowers pay over 35% in fees and interest.



We leverage the recent spread of the internet in developing countries to bypass expensive local banks and connect lenders and borrowers directly via an online P2P lending platform. The result is dramatically more affordable: Zidisha borrowers pay only 5% for each loan to cover money transfer fees. Lower costs mean profits from the loan projects go to the borrowers, instead of to the banks’ administrative expenses.