Kiyowela Ward, Southern Highlands of Tanzania
In September 2024, reilo. hosted a workshop where farmers from three villages evaluated the economic potential of their forests—including fruit harvesting, charcoal production, and carbon offsetting. As a result, reilo. introduced a pioneering model that allows farmers to use certified forests as collateral for micro-loans. In response, the farmers established a Forest Conservation Group, with whom reilo. launched an initial pilot phase in early 2025.
Suzanna Mfikwa explains
Suzanna Mfikwa, a wife and mother of three, is a smallholder farmer in Kiyowela and an active member of the forest protection group in Kiyowela Ward. She owns land with a biodiverse natural forest bordering the Udzungwa National Park - one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots.
Her situation in the field
Like many smallholder farmers around the world, Suzanna relies on her land for survival. She grows crops, cultivates trees for wood and harvests local forest fruits, honey and natural medicinal products. Despite her hard work, it's still not enough to fully support her family or provide the necessary resources for her children's education. Her natural forest faces ongoing threats from illegal charcoal production, but Suzanna dreams of restoring its biodiversity, bringing back the monkeys that once thrived there.
Her collaboration with reilo.
reilo. offers Suzanna a solution. By measuring the carbon storage and biodiversity of her forest, Suzanna can access fair micro-loans—with her certified forest serving as collateral. This innovative approach provides her with the capital she needs to improve her farming, protect her forest, and secure her family's future.
Through reilo., Suzanna's forest becomes a valuable financial asset, unlocking new income streams through nature-based carbon credits and enabling sustainable investments in her livelihood. Her story proves that empowering smallholder farmers can restore ecosystems, combat climate change, and build lasting prosperity.
Together, we make a difference - one forest acre and one forest steward at a time.
Certification in progress!
Biodiversity
Measured by acres of tropical montane forest that are protected and restored.
Carbon
Measured with an internationally recognized Carbon Accounting Standard.
Livelihood
Measured by the impacts of productive loans issued to smallholder farmers.
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