MFTransparency, a US-based nongovernmental organization (NGO) that collects and publishes information on microfinance product pricing, and the 30-member Association of Ethiopian Microfinance Institutions (AEMFI) plan to launch the “Transparent Pricing Initiative in Ethiopia” at the 2011 African Microfinance Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on September 20, 2011. The initiative, which is partially funded by Netherlands-based microfinance network MicroNed, will promote the collection and dissemination of pricing information from Ethiopian microfinance institutions (MFIs) along with promoting ongoing discussions and seminars relating to social performance and client protection.
As of September 2011, pricing data from microfinance products in nine countries is available on the MFTransparency website. Another 16 countries are currently in the data collection stage.
By Rohan Trivedi, Research Associate
About MFTransparency:
MFTransparency is a US-based nongovernmental organization (NGO) that was launched in July 2008 to provide information on microcredit products and their prices. MFTransparency collects data on the interest and fees charged on microfinance loan products in order to calculate the effective interest rates on those loans. Its intention is to establish the industry standard for pricing disclosure and to facilitate a fair exchange of microfinance products between suppliers and consumers. According to its website, between the time of MFTransparency’s launch and December 2010, 691 industry stakeholders have endorsed its efforts, including microfinance institutions and apex banks serving 107 million clients worldwide. As of August 2011, data from microfinance products in nine countries is available on the MFTransparency website and sixteen countries are participating in the data collection stage.
About the Association of Ethiopian Microfinance Institutions (AEMFI):
Established in Ethiopia in June 1999, the Association of Ethiopian Microfinance Institutions (AEMFI) is a nonprofit organization serving as a medium through which microfinance practitioners can interact to advance their goals and work towards the expansion of the microfinance industry in Ethiopia. AEMFI members include registered and licensed microfinance institutions, institutions indirectly involved in microfinance activities and individuals. As of 2011, the association includes 30 members.
About MicroNed:
MicroNed is a microfinance network of Dutch development finance organizations that includes: Cordaid, a Catholic humanitarian agency; Hivos, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) that provides grants and technical assistance; the Interchurch Organization for Development Co-operation (ICCO), which provides financial services to socially-oriented organizations; Ofxam-Novib, an investment fund that supports microfinance institutions; and the Rabobank Foundation, a microfinance-focused initiative of the Rabobank financial services group.
Sources and Additional Resources:
[1] MFTransparency Press Release: “MFTransparency and the Association of Ethiopian Microfinance Institutions to Launch the Transparent Pricing Initiative in Ethiopia”, http://www.mftransparency.org/pages/mftransparency-and-the-association-of-ethiopian-microfinance-institutions-to-launch-the-transparent-pricing-initiative-in-ethiopia/
MicroCapital.org story, August 31, 2011: “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Chuck Waterfield of MFTransparency Explores Ideas to Make Microfinance Prices More Transparent”, https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-chuck-waterfield-of-mftransparency-explores-ideas-to-make-microfinance-prices-more-transparent/
MicroCapital.org story, August 14, 2011: “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: MFTransparency, Mozambican Association of Microfinance Operators (AMOMIF) Launch Transparent Pricing Initiative in Mozambique”, https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-mftransparency-mozambican-association-of-microfinance-operators-amomif-launch-transparent-pricing-initiative-in-mozambique/
MicroCapital.org story, June 22, 2011: “MICROFINANCE EVENT: Fifth African Microfinance Conference, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, September 19 – September 22, 2011”, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinance-event-fifth-african-microfinance-conference-addis-ababa-ethiopia-september-19-–-september-22-2011/
MicroCapital Universe Profile: MFTransparency, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=MFTransparency
MicroCapital Universe Profile: Association of Ethiopian Microfinance Institutions (AEMFI), https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Association+of+Ethiopian+Microfinance+Institutions
MicroCapital Universe Profile: MicroNed, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=MicroNed
Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/
Similar Posts:
- MICROFINANCE EVENT: AEMFI 25th Anniversary; November 28 – December 1, 2023; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: L-IFT Studying Fairness of Presumptive Taxation in Ethiopia
- MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Fintech Kacha Gets Regulator Approval to Roll Out Mobile Money App in Ethiopia
- MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: UNCDF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Launch Mobile Money Program in Ethiopia
- MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: First Consult, Mastercard Foundation, Seek to Create 400k Jobs in Ethiopia via Access to Finance, Wraparound Support for MSMEs, Entrepreneurs
