The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), a government agency, has agreed to collaborate with Azsa Microfinance Bank, which has raised NGN 60 million (USD 376,740) in paid-up capital. Continue Reading »

Event Name: African Finance & Investment Forum 2012: Financial Inclusion through SMEs & Cooperatives

Event Date: June 17 – June 19, 2012

Event Location: Rabobank Headquarters, Utrecht and Floriade – Venlo, Netherlands Continue Reading »

Partners in Community Development in Fiji (PCDF), a Fiji-based nongovernmental organization (NGO), and the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LICI), a state-owned insurance group based in India, reportedly have launched a microinsurance project in Urata Village, Fiji. Continue Reading »

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), an international financial institution headquartered in England, recently launched a EUR 35 million (USD 44.7 million) program called the Moldovan Residential Energy Efficiency Financing Facility (MoREEFF) to assist Moldovan households in reducing household energy usage and costs. Continue Reading »

MicroRate, a US-based microfinance rating agency, with funding from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Luxembourg Fund Labeling Agency (LuxFLAG), a non-profit fund certification agency based in Luxembourg, has launched the full version of Luminis, an online analytical platform on microfinance funds. Continue Reading »

The Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA), the supervisor of NGO microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Bangladesh, reportedly has advised MFIs to obtain permission by June 30 for sertvices offered other than microcredit. Continue Reading »

Kiva, a US-based online microlending fundraiser, has released its annual report for 2011 indicating that its loans to microfinance institutions increased from USD 71 million in 2010 to USD 89.5 million in 2011. Continue Reading »

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC), China’s central banking authority, reportedly has announced a pilot program in the city ofLishuito encourage the establishment of village banks, microcredit firms and rural credit cooperatives to expand financial services for villagers and increase agricultural production. Continue Reading »

Faulu Kenya, a microfinance institution (MFI) based in Nairobi, Kenya, is now offering mobile credit to customers of the Kenyan arm of Airtel, an Indian telecommunications company. Continue Reading »

The Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) of Bangladesh reportedly has announced that plans are in place to appoint administrators to observe troubled microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the country. Continue Reading »

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria’s central banking authority, reportedly has asserted that its Micro-, Small and Medium Enterprises Development fund, which is due to be launched in June, is designed for capacity building and not to bail out distressed microfinance banks (MFBs). Continue Reading »

The government of Angola reportedly has announced it plans to spend an amount approximately equivalent to USD 850 million during 2012 to facilitate access to credit for enterprises – including microenterprises – in the country. Continue Reading »

Governor Yahia Mohammed Kheir of Sudan’s Blue Nile state, reportedly has announced plans for the local government to form a high council on microfinance. Continue Reading »

The Boma Project, a nonprofit organization in northern Kenya that aims to improve the ability of women to earn their own incomes, recently has become the first African organization to be certified by Grameen Foundation, a US-based nonprofit, on the Progress out of Poverty Index (PPI) Advanced Standards of Use. Continue Reading »

The Small Enterprise Education and Promotion (SEEP) Network, an association of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) headquartered in Washington DC, is launching the planning phase of its Global Savings Campaign. Continue Reading »

Event Name: World Forum for the Millennium Development Goals

Event Date: September 19 – September 21, 2012

Event Location: Palais Brongniart and Hôtel de Ville de Paris, Paris, France Continue Reading »

Wincor Nixdorf, a Germany-based information technology (IT) provider reportedly has announced it is supplying banks in Bangladesh with automated teller machine (ATM) technology in an effort to increase access to financial services via the self-service channel. Continue Reading »

The Union Cabinet of India, a decision-making body of the executive branch of the government of India, reportedly has approved a bill proposing that all microfinance institutions (MFIs) register with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and maintain a minimum of funds equal to INR 5 lakh (USD 9,270). Continue Reading »