Micro-pensions in Ghana

Written By Marijn Bergsma

I am a founding team member of People’s Pension Trust in Ghana (2015 - 2020)

PPT is a market leader in micro-pensions in Ghana, where 90% of the population had no access to pension products. My responsibilities as CCO of a start-up were finance, international partnerships, fundraising, and running a start-up.

  • Helped grow the company to 50,000 customers and 50 staff.

  • Partnership with CGAP funded by the World Bank.

  • Raised operational funding for 5 consecutive years; over $4 million. Investors include AHL Venture Partners, DRK, FSD Africa, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  • Part of the Netherlands Social Entrepreneurship Mission to SOCAP, San Francisco.

  • Realized expansion of operations to Rwanda.

I joined the team during the company’s start-up phase, working closely with co-founders Gerard and Samuel. After relocating to Rwanda to set up our East Africa operations I became less involved in the day-to-day of PPT Ghana. When covid-19 hit, we sadly lost our beloved friend and leader Samuel and the project in Rwanda was on hold. Working together closely, Gerard and I were able to restructure PPT, finding a new CEO and bringing on more capital to continue operations. At the end of 2020, with heavy hearts but great pride, we stepped out of the organization and are now advisors to the board.

See our work in 360° here:

Marijn Bergsma
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Automated Savings in Rwanda