A rotating savings group, often referred to as a "susu" (in West Africa), "tanda" (in Mexico), or ROSCA (Rotating Savings and Credit Association), is a traditional financial system where a group of people contribute a fixed amount of money regularly, and each member takes turns receiving the total collected sum. It’s a simple, trust-based way to save and access lump sums of money without needing a bank.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to organize and manage a rotating savings susu group:
1. Understand the Basics of a Susu
- How It Works:
- A group of people agree to contribute a fixed amount of money at regular intervals (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly).
- Each member takes turns receiving the total collected sum (the "payout").
- The cycle continues until every member has received their payout.
- Benefits:
- No need for a bank.
- Encourages disciplined saving.
- Provides access to lump sums for emergencies or investments.
- Challenges:
- Requires trust and commitment from all members.
- Risk of default if a member fails to contribute.
2. Set Up the Susu Group
Step 1: Gather Members
- Invite trusted individuals (family, friends, or colleagues) who are reliable and committed.
- Ideal group size: 5–20 members (smaller groups are easier to manage).
Step 2: Define the Terms
- Contribution Amount: Decide how much each member will contribute per cycle (e.g., 50,
- 50,100).
- Frequency: Choose how often contributions will be made (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly, monthly).
- Payout Order: Determine the order in which members will receive the payout. This can be:
- Randomly assigned.
- Based on need (e.g., members with urgent needs go first).
- Alphabetical or agreed-upon order.
- Duration: Calculate how long the cycle will last (e.g., 12 weeks for 12 members contributing weekly).
Step 3: Assign Roles
- Group Leader/Admin: Oversees the group and ensures rules are followed.
- Treasurer: Collects and disburses funds (if not done digitally).
- Record Keeper: Tracks contributions and payouts