The 
53rd Midi de la Microfinance, held by Luxembourg-based NGO ADA Microfinance, will focus on cybersecurity as it relates to financial inclusion in Africa. This includes suggested “points of attention and concrete actions” microfinance institutions may use to minimize the risks associated with
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MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Incofin Loans $2m to Bina Artha for Microfinance, Small Business Loans for Rural Women in Indonesia
Recently, 
Belgium-based Incofin Investment Management (IM) lent USD 2 million from its Incofin CVSO fund to Bina Artha, a microfinance institution (MFI) in Indonesia. Incofin IM acknowledges that
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Sanad, Aavishkaar, Uncovered Participate in $4m Equity Raise by Sky.Garden of Kenya to Expand Its Digital Marketplace to Middle East, North Africa
The Luxembourg-domiciled Sanad Fund for MSME recently led a Series A investment in Sky.Garden, a Kenya-based e-commerce platform serving 15,000 micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Sky.Garden plans to use the fresh USD 4 million to expand into
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: CDC Group Announces $50m Risk-sharing Facility with Absa Bank to Boost Lending to Households, MSMEs in Africa
CDC Group, a development finance institution backed by the UK government, recently announced a risk-sharing facility of USD 50 million in partnership with Absa Bank Limited, which is based in South Africa and operates in 14 African countries. Under the agreement, CDC will
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Microfund for Women (MFW) Expands Digital Capabilities via MoneyPhone Technology
Microfund for Women (MFW), a nonprofit microfinance institution in Jordan, recently partnered with MoneyPhone, a Netherlands-based financial technology (fintech) company, to enhance its digital offerings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bdour Al-Hyari, the director of strategic planning and business development at MFW, cited the “opportunity for us to introduce new digital services, such as
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Oikocredit Lends $10m to FCMB to Boost Lending to SMEs, Agricultural Enterprises in Nigeria
Netherlands-based cooperative Oikocredit recently invested USD 10 million in debt in First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, which has operations in Nigeria and the UK. The investment will finance loans for
MICROFINANCE PAPER WRAP-UP: “Weathering the Storm II: Tales of Survival from Microfinance Crises Past;” by Daniel Rozas; Published by Accion’s Center for Financial Inclusion, e-MFP
Mr Rozas evaluated 16 case studies of microfinance institutions’ (MFIs’) reactions to various crises that arose between 2004 and 2018 as a follow-up to the paper, “Weathering the Storm,” which was published in 2010 as a response to the global financial downturn that began in 2007. The new publication considers “the decade that followed the original paper,
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: IDB to Lend $150m to Panama, Targeting MSME Recovery
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a multilateral financial institution that promotes economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean, recently approved a loan of USD 150 million to support micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Panama in adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic “by facilitating access to production-oriented finance.” The funding will be delivered via
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: UBL of Pakistan to Offer Shariah-compliant Housing Loans to Akhuwat Customers
Pakistan-based organizations United Bank Limited (UBL) and Akhuwat recently signed an agreement under Mera Pakistan Mera Ghar, a government-backed housing program, whereby Akhuwat will recommend certain of its low-income customers to UBL for
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: IFC Commits $1b to MSMEs in Africa Recovering from Pandemic Recession via Risk Sharing, Mezzanine Financing
The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, recently committed USD 1 billion to finance micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through risk sharing and mezzanine financing in collaboration with public and private financial institutions. The loan will target MSMEs in sectors considered more likely to create jobs, given the
MICROFINANCE EVENT: FinovateSpring; May 18-20, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA
FinovateSpring is one of a series of conferences focusing on financial technology (fintech). The event is scheduled to include demonstrations of new fintech products, networking opportunities and approximately 175 speakers, with a focus on
MICROFINANCE PAPER WRAP-UP: “Savings and Climate Resilience;” by Elisa Sandri, Leonie Beckmann, James Robinson; Published by Itad
This paper explores how inclusive finance increases the ability of vulnerable populations to “anticipate, cope and adapt to climate shocks and stresses.” Savings groups, for example, can “enhance social capital by building group solidarity and networks,” and they have been successful outside of the financial arena, such as
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Google Pay Partners with Western Union, Wise to Allow US Users to Send Remittances to India, Singapore; Plans to Expand Worldwide
Google Pay, a service of US-based technology firm Google, recently partnered with money transfer companies Western Union and Wise to allow Google Pay users in the US to send money to individuals in India and Singapore. The service does not allow payments from other countries to the US or payments to or from businesses. However,
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Tugende Expands Leasing Products to Finance Boat Engines for Fishing in Uganda
Tugende, a technology-driven, lease-to-own firm, recently expanded its product portfolio to finance boat engines for informal workers in the fishing industry in Uganda. The company provides “financing for income-generating assets,” such as motorcycle taxis; associated resources, such as insurance and training; and digital profiles demonstrating
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: FINCA Expands Microfinance Fintech in Uganda, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan
FINCA Impact Finance, a US-based network of financial institutions, recently carried out several campaigns catering to low-income people through its affiliates in Africa and Asia.
FINCA Uganda launched a “Digital is Here” campaign in partnership with Centenary Bank, a commercial institution serving 1.8 million customers
SPECIAL REPORT: e-MFP “Financial Inclusion Compass” Survey of Trends, Forecasts Open Until May 31
From 
the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP): The Financial Inclusion Compass has, since its launch in 2018, grown to be one of the most important ways of taking the “pulse” of the sector, giving practitioners, investors, donors, academics and support service providers the opportunity to evaluate and describe the importance of various current Trends, rate and give opinions on New Areas of Focus, and provide
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Cívico of Colombia Launches “Negocios” App to Help MSMEs Advertise, Sell, Maintain Customer Relationships Online
Cívico, a Colombia-based online marketplace, networking and loan platform for micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), recently launched a mobile app called Negocios that allows users to “create a digital presence for their businesses, upload and sell their products, and connect with their clients.” Cívico also is using the app to collect data on the MSMEs’ interactions with their customers “to
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Finnvera to Issue $780m in Pandemic-relief Loans in Finland with 75% Guarantee from EIB
Finnvera, a financier owned by the government of Finland, recently joined the Pan-European Guarantee Fund (EGF), an investment vehicle with EUR 25 billion (USD 29 billion) intended to catalyze an additional EUR 200 billion (USD 241 billion) in liquidity for firms adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the program, Finnvera plans to lend EUR 650 million (USD 780 million) by December to firms in Finland that have more than