MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) Transfers Management of French-language Training to Luxembourg-based ADA, Côte d’Ivoire-based Africa Microfinance Network (AFMIN)

CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor), a US-based, nonprofit policy and research center that aims to facilitate the expansion of financial access, recently has granted a mandate to manage nine of its training modules in African countries in which French is a primary language to ADA, a Luxembourg-based NGO that promotes inclusive finance, and the African Microfinance Network (AFMIN), an Abidjan-based association of 24 networks of African microfinance institutions (MFIs). Pursuant to the agreement, ADA and AFMIN will deliver training sessions in partnership with 18 local training institutes and 125 certified trainers in 13 countries.

The training modules, known by their project title “Capacity Building Program for Francophone Africa (CAPAF),” are intended to offer “practical and relevant”[1] knowledge near to MFIs and at a reduced cost in the following areas: accounting, business planning and financial projections, delinquency management and interest rate setting, financial analysis, governance, operational risk management and product development. The training courses are organized upon request by ADA and AFMIN and their partner training institutes.

For 2012, ADA, which was formerly known as Appui au Développement Autonome, reported total assets of EUR 5 million (USD 6.7 million), and it had a budget of EUR 6.7 million (USD 8.4 million). More recent financials on ADA are not available. As of 2013, ADA supported 150 MFIs working with approximately 5 million beneficiaries. As of 2007, AFMIN’s 21 member networks collectively represented 1,118 MFIs, which reported a collective loan portfolio of USD 2 billion, a collective net savings balance of USD 1.2 billion, 13 million active borrowers and 9.7 million active savers. More recent data on AFMIN are not available.

By Alíz Crowley, Research Associate

About ADA

ADA, formerly known as Appui au Développement Autonome, is a nonprofit organization based in Luxembourg. ADA supports inclusive finance professionals in an effort to help the approximately 2.5 billion adults outside of the conventional financial system to reach their goals. ADA’s activities include developing new financial products, assisting in the capacity building of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and improving information on and awareness of microfinance activities. For 2012, ADA reported total assets of EUR 5 million (USD 6.7 million), and it had a budget of EUR 6.7 million (USD 8.4 million). More recent financials on ADA are not available. As of 2013, ADA supported 150 MFIs serving approximately 5 million beneficiaries.

About African Microfinance Network (AFMIN)

The Africa Microfinance Network (AFMIN) was established in 2000 as an association of microfinance networks aiming to contribute to the provision of effective and sustainable financial services to the low-income population of Africa. AFMIN’s core programs include capacity building for members, advocacy and policy change, performance monitoring and benchmarking, research, information dissemination, knowledge building and network management. As of 2007, its 21 member networks collectively represented 1,118 microfinance institution (MFI) members, which reported a collective loan portfolio of USD 2 billion, a collective net savings balance of USD 1.2 billion, 13 million active borrowers and 9.7 million active savers.

About CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor)

CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) is a US-based nonprofit policy and research center dedicated to increasing financial access to poor people worldwide. It is supported by approximately 40 development agencies and private foundations in its mission to provide market intelligence, promote standards and offer advisory services to governments, microfinance providers, donors and investors. CGAP reported operating expenses of USD 9 million as of 2013. CGAP is co-located with the offices of the World Bank Group in Washington DC.

Sources and Additional Resources

[1] ADA News, Training Modules elaborated by CGAP

MicroCapital, July 19, 2014, CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) Seeks Responses to “Global Pulse Survey on Responsible Digital Finance” by August 8, 2014

MicroCapital, October 8, 2013, Moody’s Analytics Partners with Africa Microfinance Network (AFMIN) to Deliver Social Performance Assessments (SPAs) in Sub-Saharan Africa

MicroCapital, September 25, 2013, Luxembourg-based Appui au Developpement Autonome (ADA) Appoints Arnaud Servais Executive Director

MicroCapital Universe Profile: ADA

MicroCapital Universe Profile: African Microfinance Network (AFMIN)

MicroCapital Universe Profile: CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor)

Do you know that MicroCapital publishes the MicroCapital Monitor newspaper each month? Find out more at https://www.microcapital.org/products-page/

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