On February 6, 2012, as part of its Transparent Pricing Initiative US-based NGO MFTransparency released microloan pricing data from microlenders in Mozambique. As part of this launch, webinars are available on pricing dynamics in the region and regarding the transparent communication of prices to clients [1].
The Transparent Pricing Intiative is part of a larger MFTransparency project funded by Canada’s MasterCard Foundation and known as the enabling Africa to Price Responsibly & Educate on Interest Rates (enabling APR & EIR) program [1] [2]. Since 2010, the project has endeavored to improve the microloan markets in Malawi, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique by publishing comparable data on the interest and fees charged on microfinance loans. Additionally the program includes training seminars, technical assistance and the production of educational materials. As of January 2012, MFTransparency has collected data from about 30 countries on four continents, including 16 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa [1].
By Natalie Baer, 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 and publicize the effective interest rates charged on those loans. According to its website, 889 industry stakeholders have endorsed its efforts as of 2011. As of January 2012, MFTransparency has collected data from about 30 countries on four continents, including 16 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
About the MasterCard Foundation: Based in Canada, the MasterCard Foundation is a private foundation with the goal of enabling people living in poverty to improve their lives with increased access to microfinance and education. The foundation was established in 2006 by a gift of shares from payment processor MasterCard Worldwide during the company’s initial public offering. As of 2010, the MasterCard Foundation reported approximately CAD 3 billion (the equivalent of USD 2.9 billion) in assets.
Sources and Resources:
[1] MFTransparency Press Release, “Launch of Mozambique Pricing Data by MFTransparency.”
[2] Enabling Africa to Price Responsibly & Educate on Interest Rates, http://www.mftransparency.org/pages/enabling-africa-to-price-responsibly-educate-on-interest-rates/
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: MFTransparency Releases Microloan Pricing Data for Ghana, Zambia, Tanzania
https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-mftransparency-releases-microloan-pricing-data-for-ghana-zambia-tanzania/
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: MFTransparency Releases Microloan Pricing Report on Ethiopia’s Microfinance Industry
https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-mftransparency-releases-microloan-pricing-report-on-ethiopias-microfinance-industry/
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Ethiopia’s Wasasa Microfinance, Poverty Eradication and Community Empowerment (PEACE), Metemamen, Harbu, Digaf Microfinance Submit Pricing Data to MFTransparency
https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-ethiopia%E2%80%99s-wasasa-microfinance-poverty-eradication-and-community-empowerment-peace-metemamen-harbu-digaf-microfinance-submit-pricing-data-to-mftransparency/
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: MFTransparency, Association of Ethiopian Microfinance Institutions (AEMFI) to Launch “Transparent Pricing Initiative in Ethiopia” with Funding from MicroNed
https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-mftransparency-association-of-ethiopian-microfinance-institutions-aemfi-to-launch-%E2%80%9Ctransparent-pricing-initiative-in-ethiopia%E2%80%9D-with-funding-from-microned/
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 BRIEF: MFTransparency Announces First Microfinance Data Submissions for Ghana Transparent Pricing Initiative
https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-mftransparency-announces-first-microfinance-data-submissions-for-ghana-transparent-pricing-initiative/
MicroCapital Universe Profile: MFTransparency,
https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=MFTransparency
MicroCapital Universe Profile: MasterCard Foundation, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=MasterCard+Foundation
Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at: https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/
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