SPECIAL REPORT: Boosting Rural Finance via Collaboration Among AFMIN, AMT Forum, AFRACA, MAIN

Semaine Africaine de la Microfinance (SAM) is a production of four African microfinance networks in collaboration with Luxembourgish NGO ADA. As this is only the second SAM, a session was held this week on how the networks can expand their collaboration to increase their effectiveness in promoting rural finance on the continent.

Davy Serge Azakpame, the CEO of the Benin-based African Microfinance Network, proposed “creat[ing] an advocacy group to pressure government to boost funding for rural areas.”

Caroll Bakang of the Kenya-based African Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (AFRACA) explained that due to the travel and other costs of training, AFRACA trains trainers to bring information and skills back to their colleagues. “We also are working with universities to develop a certificate in rural finance,” she added. All of these professional development opportunities are open to members of all four networks.

In favor of greater collaboration, Yombo Odanou, President of the Luxembourg-based African Microfinance Transparency Forum, said “I think we have committed and well-trained people. Let’s put pride aside so we can succeed.” Mitima Mpanano Rémy of the Togo-based Microfinance African Institutions Network added, “Let’s get these networks together to build common goals. We should set up an action plan to guide us instead of tackling issues individually…. When can the four networks meet to decide how to work together rather than waiting until the next SAM to ask the same question?”

The next SAM is planned for early 2017, in a location to be determined.

This story is part of a sponsored series on the second SAM, which is being held from June 29 to July 3 in Dakar, Senegal, by ADA in partnership with the African Microfinance Network, the African Microfinance Transparency Forum, AFRACA and the Microfinance African Institutions Network. MicroCapital is reporting on SAM live from Dakar.

Additional Sources and Resources:

African Microfinance Week Website: http://www.microfinance-africa.org

MicroCapital Coverage of African Microfinance Week: https://www.microcapital.org/category/semaine-africaine-de-la-microfinance-sam/

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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