The word "Susu" has different origins and meanings, including the Mande people and language of West Africa, a term of endearment in some African and Asian cultures, and the word for "milk" in Indonesian and other Austronesian languages. It is also the name of an informal West African and Caribbean savings club.
West African Context People and Language: "Susu" is the name of an ethnic group in West Africa, specifically in parts of Mali, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. It also refers to the Mande language spoken by these people. Term of Endearment: In some African cultures, "Susu" is a term of endearment, often associated with sweetness or affection, and is used as a nickname for loved ones. Asian Context Indonesian Word for Milk: In Indonesian and other Austronesian languages, "susu" is the word for "milk," deriving from Proto-Austronesian and Proto-Malayo-Polynesian roots. Financial/Social Term Savings Club: In West Africa and the Caribbean, "susu" refers to an informal cooperative savings scheme or club where members contribute regularly, and the accumulated funds are distributed to members in turn.
Terms like Stokvels (South Africa), Susu (Ghana), and Mukando (Zimbabwe) as forms of Rotating Savings and Credit Associations (ROSCAs) that have long provided financial resilience in African communities. Far more than informal savings clubs, these associations embody the philosophy of Ubuntu, emphasizing reciprocity, solidarity, and collective vitality. Historically rooted in women’s cooperatives, they have supported farming, education, health care, social obligations, and small-scale entrepreneurship, while also strengthening collective bargaining power and food security. Their adaptability is evident in the wide variety of stokvels in South Africa and in the integration of susu collectors with formal banking in Ghana, bridging informal and formal economies. By pooling risks and resources, these groups function as community safety nets that empower women, build resilience, and sustain livelihoods. As they expand and interact with financial institutions, questions arise about how to preserve their community-driven ethos while scaling their transformative potential.