Mshindi Mayenga, a hairdresser in the Tanzanian capital, had a vision to expand her business. She wanted to transform her small salon from a dilapidated rented room into a larger 'main street' enterprise, but every time she applied for a bank loan her request was turned down.
She did not own her home, or any land, and had no assets to serve as collateral for the loan.
"I was asked to present valuable assets to support my application but I did not have any," she said.
After a long struggle, the 31-year-old entrepreneur from a bustling Dar es . . .
