Doha, Qatar: The lives of many young entrepreneurs in rural Sri Lanka have been transformed through the Silatech programme of the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, which has opened doors to finance, markets and mentorship once firmly out of reach.
In communities where traditional banks long considered youth too risky to lend to, the initiative has helped aspiring business owners break free from low-paying factory jobs and turn viable ideas into sustainable enterprises.
By combining accessible technology, flexible financial products and sustained support, Silatech has created a sustainable ecosystem for youth entrepreneurship, one that continues to change lives across rural Sri Lanka and offers a scalable model for inclusive digital finance worldwide.
Launched in September 2022, the Digital Financial Inclusion for Youth Economic Empowerment project to date has reached more than 34,000 beneficiaries across Sri Lanka.
It is spearheaded by EAA Foundation through Silatech, in partnership with Gojo Inc. and local microfinance institutions. The project introduced a new model for youth entrepreneurship built on three pillars: the Pasio digital platform offering instant loans and real-time financial management tools; a WhatsApp-based community marketplace connecting buyers and sellers; and structured business training and mentorship.
According to EAA Foundation, majority of registered users actively engaged with the platform, with most accessing instant loans within their first months, highlighting strong demand for digital financial services in previously underserved communities.
Across sectors, businesses reported dramatic transformations. Bag manufacturers more than doubled quarterly production. Garment sellers increased both sales volume and pricing power after expanding their market reach. Spice retailers nearly tripled daily profits by optimizing operations and reaching new customers through digital channels.
The impact extended well beyond individual businesses and ntrepreneurs who once served only their immediate villages began selling across multiple regions. Manufacturing ventures evolved into local employers, agricultural businesses created seasonal jobs, and growing enterprises stimulated demand across local supply chains. Quality of life improvements followed.
Women entrepreneurs have been among the strongest beneficiaries, reporting increased financial independence and, in many cases, contributing equally to household expenses for the first time.
Among the stories shared by EAA Foundation with The Peninsula, for 28-year-old Shalika Geethamali from Digana in Kandy district in Sri Lanka, the programme marked a turning point. Previously unemployed and living with her mother, she aspired to start a business while pursuing studies in pharmaceutical nursing. In 2023, after attending a sensitization meeting, she secured a LKR 30,000 loan through Pasio.
She invested in mushroom farming equipment and quickly launched her enterprise.
Today, her farm produces 10 packets daily, generating around LKR 30,000 per month. Through the Pasio WhatsApp community, she markets directly to customers, ensuring steady demand. Her income now supports her household and enables her to save toward her education, with plans to double production in the near future.
31 years old Dulika also reshaped her future through the initiative. A former factory worker and mother of a three-year-old, she secured a LKR 50,000 loan in September 2023 to open a textile shop, earning about 30,000 LKR monthly within a short period.
Encouraged by exchanges within the Pasio community, Dulika diversified into handcrafted wooden culinary items with her husband’s support, adding another LKR 15,000 to her monthly income. She credits the platform’s mentorship and peer network for strengthening her business acumen and confidence.
While challenges remain, including platform navigation difficulties, limited smartphone ownership in remote areas, competition from mass-produced goods, and the need for advanced business development support the initiative demonstrates that digital financial inclusion, when paired with comprehensive mentorship, can drive meaningful economic empowerment.
