Gojo & Company, Inc. (“Gojo”) and Education Above All (EAA) Foundation are pleased to announce the Pasio programme's success, an initiative that is currently supporting young entrepreneurs in the rural areas of India, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia with income-generating loans. EAA Foundation (rebranded from Silatech) is a global foundation based in Doha, Qatar, aiming to transform lives through education and employment opportunities for international social development. Since its launch in 2023, the Pasio programme has supported young entrepreneurs through a three-tiered approach:

Firstly, the Pasio App provides complete transparency in loan processes, integrates financial management tools, and ensures data security with advanced protection measures. Available in three countries, the app supports local languages to enhance accessibility. Secondly, the Pasio Digital Storefront allows entrepreneurs to create online shops, showcase products and services, and share their pages via social media to expand their reach. Complementing these tools is the Pasio Online Community, a network that connects young business owners, fosters collaboration, and delivers tailored educational insights to support business growth. 

Images: Pasio App (top left), Pasio Digital Storefront (top right), and Pasio Community (bottom).

As of January 2025, the Pasio programme has achieved:

  • 81,000+ youth1 receiving income-generating loans disbursed,
  • 26,000+ Pasio Storefront users,
  • 11,000+ online community members,
  • 8,000+ Pasio App users

In line with this progress, Gojo and EAA Foundation are delighted to announce the launch of the newly revamped Pasio website, designed to provide insights into the programme and the successes achieved by clients. 

Commenting on the Pasio programme's success, Hassan Al Mulla, Executive Director of Silatech Program, EAA Foundation, emphasised the importance of financial empowerment for youth:

"At EAA Foundation, we believe that financial inclusion and digital literacy are fundamental to breaking the cycle of poverty. The Pasio programme stands as an example of how strategic partnerships can drive meaningful change, equipping young entrepreneurs with the resources and digital tools needed to build and sustain their businesses. Together with Gojo, we are not only fostering business growth but also creating lasting economic opportunities, strengthening resilience, and empowering youth in underserved communities. We look forward to expanding this impact and unlocking new pathways to prosperity for the next generation."

Gürol Michael Sari, Chief Operating Officer at Gojo, said “Financial empowerment extends beyond access; it requires providing entrepreneurs with skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. While financial literacy has been a focus in the microfinance sector, digital literacy drives change—teaching entrepreneurs to leverage technology to improve their businesses and lives. The Pasio programme creates pathways for sustainable livelihoods by ensuring small business owners in rural areas gain financial access and develop digital skills to compete and grow. With EAA Foundation’s support, we're extending our reach, empowering more entrepreneurs with the tools they need for success. Gojo is proud to be part of this successful effort and looks forward to enhancing our impact in the years ahead.”

As the Pasio programme continues to grow, Gojo and EAA Foundation are committed to exploring new avenues for expansion and enhancement. The next phase of the programme will focus on scaling financial services, further strengthening digital literacy, and broadening access to economic opportunities for underserved communities.


About Education Above All Foundation
The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation is a global foundation established in 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. EAA Foundation aims to transform lives through education and employment opportunities. They believe that education is the single most effective means of reducing poverty, creating peaceful and just societies, unlocking the full potential of every child and youth, and creating the right conditions to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through their multi-sectoral approach, unique financing models, focus on innovation as a tool for social good, and partnerships, they aim to bring hope and real opportunities to the lives of marginalised children and youths. EAA Foundation is comprised of the following programmes: Educate A Child (EAC), Al Fakhoora, Reach Out To All (ROTA), Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict (PEIC), Silatech, Innovation Development (ID) and Together project.

About Gojo & Company
Gojo is a Tokyo-based holding company of inclusive financial service providers operating in 13 countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia & the Caucasus, and Africa. Gojo was founded in 2014 to extend financial inclusion across the globe. Gojo Group including major investees is serving more than 2.4 million clients across the globe, through over 10 thousand group employees as of March 2024. Gojo is a Certified B Corporation™, committed to the continuous improvement of its social and environmental performance.


Footnotes

  1. The Pasio programme beneficiaries are aged 18-35. ↩︎