The Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) a US-based nonprofit organization that publishes financial and social performance information from microfinance stakeholders, recently launched the “Africa Map of Financial Inclusion for the Poor,” an interactive tool that shows country-specific microfinance information in the context of socioeconomic indicators. The web platform has been developed and funded in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation, a Canadian philanthropic organization that supports initiatives in the microfinance and education sectors.
MIX and the MasterCard Foundation carried out a survey of microfinance staff and executives from 23,000 financial service providers (both informal and formal) that together reach approximately 70 million individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The map tool offers access to raw data, analysis and methodological information, as well as a visual map that allows users to gauge the extent of microfinance while cross-referencing social and economic metrics for each country. The map can be accessed at http://africa.mixmarket.org/.
By Rohan Trivedi, Research Associate
About the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX):
Established in 2002, the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) is a nonprofit organization with its headquarters in Washington, DC, and regional offices in Peru, Morocco and India. MIX provides financial and social performance information from microfinance institutions (MFIs), as well as business information from market facilitators, donor organizations and investors in microfinance. As of 2011, MIX Market, the arm of MIX that analyzes MFI information, provides data on approximately 2,000 MFIs as well as information about funders, networks and service providers. MIX was founded by CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) and is sponsored by Citi Foundation, Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Omidyar Network.
About the MasterCard Foundation:
Based in Canada, the MasterCard Foundation is a private foundation with approximately CAD 3 billion (the equivalent of USD 2.9 billion) in assets as of 2010. The foundation’s goal is to enable 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.
Sources and Additional Resources:
[1] Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) Press Release: “MIX Data and Map Provide a Comprehensive View of African Financial Inclusion for the Poor”, http://www.themix.org/press-release/african-financial-inclusion-poor-data-and-map-release
MicroCapital.org story, July 27, 2011: “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) Announces 2,000 Microfinance Institutions Now Reporting to MIX Market”, https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-microfinance-information-exchange-mix-announces-2000-microfinance-institutions-now-reporting-to-mix-market/
MicroCapital.org story, May 10, 2011: “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) Releases ‘2010 Sub-Saharan Microfinance Analysis and Benchmarking Report”, https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-microfinance-information-exchange-mix-releases-“2010-sub-saharan-microfinance-analysis-and-benchmarking-report”/
MicroCapital Universe Profile: Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX), https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Microfinance+Information+Exchange+%28MIX%29
Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/
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