Microfinance Focus: Regulation should consider setting limits on extent of private ownership, limits of profits (in terms of ROE and ROA), restriction on accessing capital markets for equity in the initial years (say 7 years) and limits on executive remuneration. The transparency in disclosure could be implemented through organizations such as MicroFinance Transparency which is working on pricing transparency in the country.

Microfinance Gateway: Over the past year, the microfinance industry has made real progress toward transparent pricing, translating our stated commitment to responsible practice into action. MicroFinance Transparency is excited to share accomplishments through the first MicroFinance Transparency Newsletter.

I was recently having a debate with some friends about which is best for Africa’s development: trade or aid. This is an ongoing debate in different forums on the continent where arguments for both positions are presented. When it comes to microfinance in general, the debate is more akin to social vs commercial, or profit vs nonprofit. In discussing microfinance in Africa specifically, it can be interesting to phrase this debate in the aid vs trade framework.

Si c’est le microcrédit qui fait le plus parler de lui lorsqu’il est question de microfinance, l’offre de services d’épargne n’en est pas moins intéressante. Au même titre que le crédit, l’épargne répond à un besoin pour les populations non bancarisées, qui ne perçoivent pas toujours des revenus réguliers et qui doivent faire face aux aléas du quotidien.

Como mencionamos en una de nuestras últimas entradas al blog, MFTransparency en Foromic, MicroFinance Transparency tuvo la oportunidad de participar en el Foro de la Microempresa (Foromic) organizado por el BID y FOMIN en Uruguay a principios del mes de Octubre.

Le financement est généralement le talon d’Achille des IMFs particulièrement en Afrique de l’ouest, c’est un des éléments les plus déterminants du fonctionnement de l’IMF.

Digital Development Debates: Microfinance, originally a donor-funded innovation of the non-profit world, now more often makes headlines for its movement towards commercialization. As the debate about profit and social responsibility heats up, the importance of pricing transparency is growing increasingly apparent.

En travaillant dans le secteur de la microfinance, je suis constamment inspiré.

Mi trabajo en la industria de las microfinanzas, me sirve constantemente de inspiración. Tengo el honor de trabajar junto a personas dedicadas no sólo a ofrecer servicios financieros a personas en situación de pobreza, sino también a hacerlo mejor cada día.

Working in the microfinance industry, I am constantly inspired. I am honored to work alongside people devoted not only to offering financial services to poor people, but to doing it better every day.