MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Bangladesh-based BRAC to Expand Microfinance, Health, Education, Agricultural Projects in Tanzania

BRAC (formerly the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee), a Bangladeshi nonprofit development organization, reportedly has announced plans to expand “pro-poor development projects in health, education, microfinance, farming and livestock sector” in Tanzania within an unspecified timeframe. BRAC’s strategy in Tanzania emphasizes capacity building and technology transfers for women through credit support. BRAC noted that Tanzanians must also be informed and conscious of their political rights and health to fully benefit from microloans [1].

BRAC started operations in Tanzania in 2007. As of 2012, BRAC has 112 branch offices in the country and employs approximately 1,200 Tanzanians. As of 2010, BRAC reported to the US-based nonprofit Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) total assets of USD 1 billion, a gross loan portfolio of USD 620 million, approximately 5.4 million borrowers, return on assets (ROA) of 3.84 percent and return on equity (ROE) of 12.4 percent. As of 2012, BRAC works in nine developing countries.

For the year 2010, six microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Tanzania reported to the US-based nonprofit Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) an aggregate gross loan portfolio of USD 63.7 million outstanding to approximately 223,000 borrowers and total deposits of USD 52.9 million.

By Brendan Millan, Research Associate

About BRAC (Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee): BRAC, formerly known as the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee, is a nonprofit development organization that was established in 1972 and is headquartered in Bangladesh. BRAC offers development assistance intended to improve the quality of life of poor people. As of 2010, BRAC reported to the US-based nonprofit Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) total assets of USD 1 billion, a gross loan portfolio of USD 620 million, approximately 5.4 million borrowers, return on assets (ROA) of 3.84 percent and return on equity (ROE) of 12.4 percent. As of 2012, BRAC works in nine developing countries. BRAC also owns a stake in BRAC Bank Limited, which unlike BRAC offers deposit services under the regulation of the Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of the country.

Sources and Resources:

[1] IPP Media: “International Non-Government Organisation Promises More Support for Pro-Poor Projects.”, http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=39879

MicroCapital.org Article, March 23, 2012, “GABV Report: Microfinance Institutions ‘Values Based’ Banks Stronger than Mainstream Banks”, https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-gabv-report-microfinance-institutions-values-based-banks-stronger-than-mainstream-banks/

MicroCapital.org Article, September 1, 2011, “BRAC Development Institute Releases ‘Microfinance Bangladesh Review,’ Indicates Need for Product Diversity”, https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-brac-development-institute-releases-%E2%80%9Cbangladesh-microfinance-review%E2%80%9D-indicates-need-for-product-diversity/

MicroCapital.org Article, April 26, 2011, “Bangladesh Microfinance Organization BRAC Admits to Pushing Loans to Over-Indebted Borrowers”, https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-bangladeshi-microfinance-organization-brac-admits-to-pushing-loans-to-over-indebted-borrowers/

MicroCapital Universe Profile: BRAC, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=BRAC

MicroCapital Universe Profile: BRAC Bank Limited, https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=BRAC+Bank+Limited

Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at: https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/

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