UK-based financial services company HSBC (formerly known as the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation), Dubai-based microfinance investor Grameen-Jameel and Bankers without Borders (BwB), a program of the US-based Grameen Foundation, are partnering to provide financial and technical expertise to microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the Middle East and North Africa. Continue Reading »

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), a Vietnamese government agency, recently has announced plans to implement a microfinance sector development project in the country until 2020. Continue Reading »

A new umbrella microfinance institution (MFI) SA Financial Enterprise Agency (Safea) has reportedly been established under the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), a development finance institution backed by the government of South Africa. Continue Reading »

The Rafael B Buenaventura Microfinance Resource Center Foundation (RBB Foundation), an institution in the Philippines that aims to develop sustainable microfinance through capacity building, will honor five microfinance institutions (MFIs) for their pioneering initiatives and exemplary work in its first awards ceremony on November 30, 2012. Continue Reading »

A trial government-run microinsurance program is currently being conducted involving cotton farmers in the Bunda district of Tanzania. Continue Reading »

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private-investment arm of the World Bank Group, is sponsoring a series of workshops for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Egypt “on how to implement sound corporate governance standards to improve their performance, increase access to finance and foster sustained growth.” Continue Reading »

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has expressed her support for Nobel Peace Laureate Dr Mohammad Yunus and urged the Bangladeshi government “not to undermine the independence of the Grameen Bank.” Continue Reading »

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Uganda’s tax collection entity, has introduced a mobile phone payment system accepting tax payments from customers of Abu Dhabi-based Warid Telecom. Continue Reading »

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central banking authority of the Philippines, has announced it is considering strengthening its Special Program for Rural Banks (SPRB), which lays out guidelines for assisting “distressed” rural banks. Continue Reading »

Lok Capital, a Mauritius-based microfinance investment vehicle, has reportedly announced plans to sell its stake in Janalakshmi Financial Services (JFS), an Indian microfinance institution (MFI). Continue Reading »

Waseela Microfinance Bank Limited (WMBL), a microfinance institution (MFI) in Pakistan, reportedly has announced the opening of its first branch, which is located in Islamabad, Pakistan. Continue Reading »

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private-investment arm of the World Bank Group, has partnered with the eight countries of the West African Monetary Union (UEMOA in French) to increase access to finance for the region’s small-scale businesses. Continue Reading »

The Korean Ministry of Strategy and Finance (MOSF) has signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private-investment arm of the World Bank Group, to provide USD 1 million to support programs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets. Continue Reading »

MasterCard Foundation, a Canadian affiliate of US-based payments firm MasterCard that aims to promote financial inclusion and education in developing countries, is offering an undisclosed number of scholarships for microfinance practitioners to attend the Sustainable Microenterprise and Development Program (SMDP), which will address a “livelihoods approach” to microfinance, enterprise and economic development from June 18 to June 29, 2012. Continue Reading »

Fonds Européen de Financement Solidaire (FEFISOL), a for-profit investment fund registered in Luxembourg, has obtained the “Microfinance Label” from the Luxembourg Fund Labeling Agency (LuxFLAG), a microfinance investment vehicle (MIV) certification organization. Continue Reading »

Event Name: TBLI Conference Europe 2012

Event Date: November 8 – November 9, 2012

Event Location: Swissôtel Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Continue Reading »

The Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO), a governmental development agency based in Tanzania, reportedly has provided a loan of TZS 45.3 million (USD 28,500) to Tanzanian microfinance institution (MFI) Promotion of Rural Initiative and Development Enterprises Limited (PRIDE Tanzania) for on-lending to 153 orange farmers. Continue Reading »

Basix Group, an Indian provider of microfinance and other services to poor people since 1996, is reportedly looking to establish a footprint in Africa in order to increase earnings and diversify risk. Continue Reading »