This 
paper explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clients of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in terms of: “Which client segments are most affected? How are they coping with the situation? What are they doing to
Tag: Women
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Belstar Microfinance Raises $48m in Equity to Boost Service to Women, Low-income Households in India
Belstar Microfinance, a non-banking financial company controlled by India-based Muthoot Finance, recently raised INR 3.5 billion (USD 47.6 million) in equity. An unspecified portion of the funds are from Affirma Capital, a Singapore-based private equity firm that is a first-time investor in Belstar. The remainder of the new equity comes from
MICROFINANCE PAPER WRAP-UP: “Leadership as a Driver of Innovative Financial Services for Women;” by Jaclyn Berfond, Jennifer Iwueze; Published by WWB
This paper offers an analysis of data collected from alumni of the Women’s World Banking Leadership & Diversity for Innovation Program (LDIP), which engages “senior executives and high-potential women leaders to enable them to successfully serve low-income women” customers of financial service providers (FSPs). The authors focus on “the strategic business initiatives of LDIP participants” and
MICROFINANCE PAPER WRAP-UP: “SME Finance Loans for Growth,” Published by Symbiotics
This paper offers an analysis of the impact of the SME Finance Loans For Growth (LFG) fund from its launch in 2016 through 2020. LFG is a collaboration of three Swiss organizations, the Symbiotics Group, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: CredAvenue Issues $45m Market-linked Debenture for Spandana Sphoorty to Boost Microfinance for Women in Rural India
CredAvenue, an India-based firm that connects lenders and borrowers, recently issued a market-linked debenture valued at INR 3.38 billion (USD 45 million) for Spandana Sphoorty Financial Limited, a non-banking financial company (NBFC) providing microloans in India. The participating investors comprise
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: IFC, We-Fi Invest $2.5m in Flat6Labs to Support Entrepreneurship in Jordan
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, recently agreed to invest USD 2 million in Flat6Labs Amman, a venture capital fund in Jordan, to support
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Oikocredit Loans $2.5m to Grace and Mercy Microfinance Institution to Support MSMEs, Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria
Oikocredit, a Netherlands-based cooperative, recently offered a loan of USD 2.5 million to Grace and Mercy Households Improvement Initiative, a nonprofit microfinance institution in Nigeria. The loan is intended to support the expansion of
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: WorldBusiness Capital Loans $15m to Asirvad Micro Finance to Support Rural Women Entrepreneurs in India, with Backing from DFC
Asirvad Micro Finance Limited, a microlender in India, recently accepted a loan of USD 15 million from WorldBusiness Capital, a US-based finance company. The seven-year loan, which is guaranteed by the government-backed
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Fusion Microfinance Raises $12m in Debt from Bank im Bistum Essen (BIB) to Increase Financial Inclusion for Women in India
Fusion Microfinance, a microfinance institution in India, recently borrowed EUR 10 million (USD 12.2 million) from Bank im Bistum Essen (BIB), a cooperative bank based in Germany. The loan proceeds are intended for Fusion Microfinance to
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: DFC to Double $48m in Lending to MicroVest to Promote Investment in Microfinance, SMEs, Women
The US government’s International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) recently committed to doubling its USD 48 million debt funding of US-based asset management firm MicroVest, aiming to “expand financing opportunities for microfinance and SME [small, and medium-sized enterprise] finance institutions that support underserved microenterprises and small businesses worldwide.”
Algene Sajery, the head of global gender equity initiatives for DFC, stated, “DFC is pleased to support MicroVest’s
MICROFINANCE PAPER WRAP-UP: “Reaching Financial Equality For Women;” Published by Women’s World Banking, World Bank, Better Than Cash Alliance, UNSGSA, UN Women, UNCDF
This action plan is intended to help governments, businesses, and NGOs “rebuild stronger” after the COVID-19 pandemic by reducing gender inequality. UN Women estimates that at least 47 million more women and girls will fall below the poverty line in 2021 due to COVID-19. The following actions, which are prioritized equally, aim to
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: ADB Raises $20m Through Bond Issue in Kazakhstan to Support Otbasy Bank Housing Loans to Women, Mainly in Rural Areas
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), a Philippines-based multilateral institution, recently raised KZT 8.4 billion (USD 20 million) through bond sales to institutional investors in Kazakhstan to finance loans by the Housing and Construction Savings Bank of Kazakhstan, which is also known as Otbasy Bank. The bond has a 10-year maturity with a
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Nordic Microfinance Initiative Raises $5m from Lauritzen Fonden to Invest in Women in Africa, Asia
Denmark-based Lauritzen Fonden recently invested USD 5 million in “Fund IV” of the Nordic Microfinance Initiative (NMI), a Norway-based public-private partnership that invests in microfinance institutions and agricultural initiatives in developing countries. The new investment is specific to microfinance, mainly for women in Africa and Asia.
Lauritzen describes itself as a “commercial foundation.” It earns income from shipping concerns and investments in real estate, technology, software and equipment and then disburses approximately DKK 40 million (USD 6 million) per year to support youth and
MICROFINANCE EVENT: FINCA Impact Finance International Women’s Day Panel; March 4, 2020; Washington, DC, USA
Even as worldwide access to financial services expands, women remain underrepresented among elected officeholders. This panel discussion will center on how access to finance can increase the political empowerment of women. The panelists include
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: PBU Invests $15m in Nordic Microfinance Initiative’s NMI Fund IV to Invest in Women in Africa, Asia
Paedagogernes Pension (PBU), Denmark’s Pension Fund of Early Childhood Teachers, recently invested approximately USD 15 million, denominated in kroner, in NMI Fund IV, which is managed by the Nordic Microfinance Initiative (NMI), a Norway-based public-private partnership that supports microfinance institutions in developing countries.
The goal of the investment is
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Asian Development Bank (ADB) Loan to Regional Development Bank of Sri Lanka to Leverage Up to $533m for Rural Microfinance, SME Lending
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), a multilateral institution based in the Philippines, recently loaned USD 50 million to Sri Lanka’s state-owned Regional Development Bank (RDB) for on-lending to micro- and small enterprises outside the city of Colombo. These enterprises are to include 500 led by women.
MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: World Bank Lending $700m to Morocco to Support “Digital Transformation,” Including MSME Finance, Mobile Payment Systems, Angel Investing
The World Bank recently approved loan funding of EUR 611 million (USD 700 million) for the nation of Morocco with the objective of promoting a “digital transformation.” The project will be implemented through 2024 by the country’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, focusing on three pillars: (1) “enhancing financial inclusion for individuals, and micro, small and medium enterprises,” including access to insurance, agricultural finance and various Islamic financial services; (2) improving digital infrastructure, including measures intended to reduce the cost of mobile payments; and (3) supporting angel investors. One of the program strategies is to fund lenders to expand micro-enterprise lending.