Dr Pokhrel hypothesized that microcredit is a sustainable tool for poverty reduction, based on the idea that access to microcredit can improve household income and employment opportunities, thus leading to increases in household consumption and asset ownership. The study employed data from
Tag: Nepal
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Jeevan Bikas, Pula, UNCDF Partner on Index Insurance for Farmers in Nepal
The Nepali microfinance institution Jeevan Bikas Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha, Swiss insurance technology (insurtech) firm Pula and the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) recently announced the completion of a pilot program combining technical assistance, subsidies and financial education to design and deploy an index-based insurance product for Nepali smallholder farmers. The program provided 15,000 smallholder farmers with insurance covering
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Activists Block Access to 3 Microfinance Institution Branches in Nepal, Accusing MFIs of Causing Over-indebtedness
Members of the Nepal Communist Party reportedly placed locks on the doors of two microfinance institution (MFI) branch offices in the western Nepali province of Sudurpaschim. Access to a third branch in the province also was blocked before police removed
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: C-Quadrat Impact Asset Management (I-AM) Loans $20m from Dual Return Vision Microfinance Funds to MFIs in 8 Countries
Impact Asset Management (I-AM), a unit of Austria’s C-Quadrat Investment Group, recently announced it lent a total of USD 20 million to microfinance institutions (MFIs) in China, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Peru and three other countries through its Dual Return Funds during July 2022. I-AM has
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Nepal’s Gateway Payments Service, Manam Infotech, National Payments Corporation of India to Boost Digital Transactions in Nepal
Gateway Payments Service, one of 10 licensed payment system operators in Nepal; the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which is owned by the government of India; and Manam Infotech, an Indian financial technology (fintech) firm are partnering to rollout NPCI’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Nepal. Among UPI’s functions is to allow users to control multiple bank accounts from a single mobile app, facilitating payments to merchants as well as among individuals. The rollout in Nepal will allow transactions within the country at first and may be extended to execute cross-border payments in the future. NPCI is participating in the effort through
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: In Response to COVID-19 Pandemic, Khalti Broadens E-commerce Platform to Offer Deliveries from MSMEs to Customers in Nepal
Khalti, a Nepal-based provider of digital financial services, has modified its digital platform to support micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Nepal, including small shops known as kirana stores, with the support of the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Khalti offered a service through which enterprises could open digital storefronts to sell their services and collect payments. In adjusting to the pandemic, Khalti started
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Nepal’s Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) See 21% Growth in Profit During 2013-2014 Amidst Concerns over High Interest Rates Charged to Borrowers
Microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Nepal reportedly are experiencing a period of growth that some say can be attributed to high interest rates charged to borrowers.