LOLC Finance expands MSME empowerment drive with regional entrepreneur training programs

Head of SME and Personal Finance Charith Jagoda

LOLC Finance continues to reinforce its commitment to inclusive economic development by further strengthening its support for Sri Lanka’s micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector. Through its Personal Finance Business Unit, LOLC Finance has successfully concluded a series of targeted customer training and financial literacy programs across key regions of the country, onboarding over 2,000 new customers during the past six months.

Aligned with LOLC Finance’s broader mission of fostering financial inclusivity and supporting sustainable livelihoods, the initial program of the series was held at the LOLC Finance Auditorium in Bambalapitiya, and subsequently rolled out across Divulapitiya, Mathugama, Nittambuwa, Batticaloa, Wellawaya, Chenkalady, Suriyawewa, Jaffna, Badulla 1, Badulla 2, Kahatagasdigiliya, Tangalle, and Galle.

Conducted under the theme “Empowering Business Owners: Building, Growing, and Sustaining Your Business,” these regional programs were designed to address practical challenges faced by MSMEs while equipping participants with actionable strategies to enhance resilience, strengthen operational efficiency, and support steady business growth. 

Recognising that strong financial discipline is essential for business stability, the sessions provided practical guidance on managing day-to-day finances, highlighting key concepts such as financial literacy, cash flow management, responsible borrowing, informed investment decision-making, income diversification, entrepreneurship, business planning, manufacturing, sustainable agriculture, market identification, attracting and retaining customers, and developing realistic marketing plans suited to limited budgets. These modules also focused on relationship management, with a strong emphasis on empowering women, youth, and rural micro-entrepreneurs. Participants were also guided on effectively leveraging digital platforms such as Facebook and TikTok to increase brand visibility and tap into new market opportunities. A key highlight of the initiative was a live demonstration on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) tools into day-to-day business operations. 

Further extending its community impact, LOLC Finance conducted Centre Leader Programs across Bibile, Akuressa, Dambulla, Kuliyapitiya, Monaragala, Ambalanthota, Tangalle, Mannar, Gampola, Tissamaharama, Balangoda, and Galgamuwa. These programs were designed to strengthen leadership within LOLC’s Isuru Diriya Centre model. Centre leaders received structured training in leadership development, motivation, communication, people management, and conflict resolution, enabling them to play a pivotal role in client mobilisation, loan recovery, and sustained community engagement.

Reflecting on the program’s impact, Lalitha from Tangalle shared: “The Centre Leader Program gave me the confidence, knowledge, and motivation to continue growing. LOLC Finance has supported me every step of the way, from my first loan to now leading others.”

Dilrukshi Kumari, a long-term customer of LOLC Finance further noted: “With timely financial support and consistent guidance from LOLC Finance, I was able to transform my small shop into a thriving business.”

Looking ahead, LOLC Finance plans to further scale these initiatives through the introduction of digital learning platforms via WhatsApp, micro-learning videos, sector-specific training modules, green finance education, and data-driven personalisation, aiming to address the evolving needs of Sri Lanka’s MSME sector.

LOLC Finance PLC Head of SME and Personal Finance Charith Jagoda said: “We are committed to building financial capability, community leadership, and long-term resilience. These programs are not solely focused on enhancing portfolio performance; they are fundamentally about transforming mindsets, fostering positive attitudes, and strengthening resilient, self-sustaining communities.”

Through the strategic integration of financial access, skills development, and community leadership, LOLC Finance continues to advance inclusive and responsible finance, strengthening resilient communities across Sri Lanka.