Meri Saheli 30.0.22

Frontier Markets is a prominent player in the realm of social commerce in India, specifically focusing on the last mile connectivity for rural customers. The platform adopts an innovative approach that highlights the voices of rural India, effectively responding to the changing demands of this demographic while fostering economic empowerment for women.

At the core of Frontier Markets' operations is a robust network of over 32,000 rural women entrepreneurs, known as "Saral Jeevan Sahelis." These entrepreneurs play a vital role in bridging access gaps by delivering essential products and services directly to rural households. Their offerings include climate-friendly appliances, clean energy solutions, digital payment systems, agricultural tools and services, as well as financial and healthcare services.

Currently, Frontier Markets operates across more than 5,000 villages in three Indian states: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Over the past three years, the company has successfully sold over 50 million solutions to one million rural households. With a keen focus on the 950 million individuals residing in rural India—which represents a significant market opportunity valued at $100 billion—the organization is ambitiously scaling its efforts to reach one million women and 100 million rural households by 2025. This strategic plan positions Frontier Markets as a comprehensive resource for rural women seeking sustainable Development Goals (SDG) related solutions while emphasizing the role of digitally adept women as catalysts for impactful change across various sectors including climate action, healthcare, education, and economic growth.

To achieve these objectives, Frontier Markets invests in training rural women to become Saral Jeevan Sahelis. These trained individuals leverage technology to enroll new users on the platform, gather data to understand community needs better, and identify various opportunities tailored for rural families through their established connections.