GROWTH WITH PURPOSE

For CA Grameen, behind the numbers and microloans lies a powerful mission: empowering rural women while reducing environmental impact

- PALAK AGARWAL

AT FIRST GLANCE, CreditAccess Grameen or CA Grameen may appear to be just another microfinance institution. But dig a little deeper, and you'll discover a purpose-led organisation blending grassroots financial inclusion with a long-term commitment to ESG excellence.

With a customer base of around 4.7 million borrowers, 99.97% of whom are women, CA Grameen’s work is as much about livelihoods as it is about lives. “For us, sustainability isn’t just a checkbox. It’s in the way we operate, the way we grow, and most importantly, the way we empower,” says Ganesh Narayanan, Managing Director and CEO. Over the years, the company has evolved from a credit provider to a community catalyst.

CA Grameen’s approach is framed under the ESFG model: Environment, Social, Financial, and Governance. This four-pronged strategy is the backbone of its business.

On the environmental front, the company has adopted numerous measures to reduce its carbon footprint. “We've digitised our field operations to reduce paper usage, eliminated plastic bottles and tissue paper at the head office, and encouraged employees to carry reusable cups,” says Narayanan. Energy consumption is another focus area. A recent initiative using geo-tagged customer data has optimised field officer routes.

Socially, CA Grameen has made deep inroads into India’s most underserved areas. Its credit-plus initiatives include educational support, health awareness, disaster response and rural development. Notably, the company operates in 64 of India’s 112 aspirational districts.