MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Development Seed, Key2Flex Offer Geospatial Technology Services to Analyze Availability of Financial Services in Developing Countries

Geospatial mapping is being used to show the geographic distribution of banks, automated teller machines (ATMs) and banking agents in relation to low-income and other population groups, thus giving an indication of the accessibility of financial services to those groups. Improvements in geospatial mapping technology, global positioning system (GPS) receivers and geographic information system (GIS) software combined with the increasing availability of spatial and population data allow for the mapping and analysis of a country’s “financial landscape” for about USD 100,000 [1].

The US-based Microfinance Information Exchange, US-based data visualization company Development Seed and the Canada-based MasterCard Foundation have partnered to map microfinance data in Nigeria. In the Philippines, the People’s Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC), a governmental microfinance organization, has partnered with Philippines-based Key2Flex to use GIS software to analyze microfinance information.

By Natalie Baer, Research Associate

About the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX): The Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) is a US-based nonprofit provider of performance data and analysis on microfinance institutions (MFIs), funders, networks and service providers dedicated to serving the financial needs of low-income clients. The mission of MIX is to strengthen the microfinance sector and financial inclusion in general by promoting transparency. The organization’s MIX Market website offers access to financial and social performance information covering approximately 2,000 MFIs. MIX publications include the MicroBanking Bulletin and MIX Microfinance World, which feature periodic research and data analysis. Incorporated in 2002, MIX is headquartered in Washington, DC, with regional offices in Azerbaijan, India, Morocco and Peru. Its supporters include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor), Omidyar Network, The MasterCard Foundation, the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Citi Foundation, Ford Foundation and Deutsche Bank.

About the MasterCard Foundation: Based in Canada, the MasterCard Foundation is a private foundation with the goal of enabling people living in poverty to improve their lives with increased access to microfinance and education. The foundation was established in 2006 by a gift of shares from global payment processor MasterCard Worldwide during the company’s initial public offering. As of 2010, the MasterCard Foundation reported approximately CAD 3 billion (the equivalent of USD 2.9 billion) in assets.

About the People’s Credit and Finance Corporation: The People’s Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC) is a government-owned finance company based in Manila, Philippines. Its sole focus is microfinance, and it is mandated by the government to provide financial services to the poor through retail microfinance institutions. As of December 31, 2010, the PCFC had total assets of PHP 3.78 billion (USD 88.2 million).

Sources and Resources:

[1] Geospatial Analysis for Financial Inclusion Tracking
http://mmublog.org/blog/geospatial-analysis-for-financial-inclusion-tracking/

Mapping Nigerian Microfinance Banks
http://www.themix.org/publications/mix-microfinance-world/2011/08/mapping-nigerian-microfinance-banks

Philippines’ PCFC to develop Microfinance Geographic Information System
http://www.microfinancefocus.com/news/2010/05/25/philippines%E2%80%99-pcfc-to-develop-microfinance-geographic-information-system/

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Microcapital Universe: Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Microfinance+Information+Exchange+%28MIX%29

MicroCapital Universe Profile: MasterCard Foundation
https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=MasterCard+Foundation

MicroCapital Universe Profile: People’s Credit and Finance Corporation
https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=People%27s+Credit+and+Finance+Corporation+%28PCFC%29

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

 

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