SPECIAL REPORT: Mohamed Attanda on African Microfinance Week (Semaine Africaine de la Microfinance, SAM), Dakar, Senegal, June 29 – July 3, 2015

MicroCapital: The agenda of Semaine Africaine de la Microfinance (SAM) emphasizes improving services in rural areas; is there something in that realm that you would like to highlight?

Mohamed Attanda: Yes, we have noted for the past several years that rural areas have not been well served by traditional financial institutions, so there has been a need for microfinance institutions to focus on rural areas and family farms. How microfinance institutions can deal with this problem is a big question. The large size of African Microfinance Week gives us more opportunities to work together to innovate in rural finance in Africa.

MC: Several networks have collaborated to create SAM. What is the advantage in collocating their general assemblies in conjunction with a conference?

MA: The advantages for the Microfinance African Institutions Network (MAIN) in working with other networks, such as the African Micro-finance Network, the African Microfinance Transparency Forum and the African Rural and Agricultural Credit Association, stem from the members that we have in common. First, I would say that striving to speak with one voice is important; this raises awareness of our work. We also set the stage for networking among the members of the different associations. Lastly, combining overlapping activities reduces our members’ travel costs.

MC: Please tell us a bit about MAIN.

MA: MAIN is an international nonprofit association that was founded in 1995. Its members are microfinance institutions, NGOs, cooperative farmer’s organizations, banks and universities that together bring financial and non-financial services to 1.2 million beneficiaries in 23 countries. We focus on building the capacity of microfinance practitioners through two programs: a university program and short-term courses. The university program runs for two to three years, and the short-term courses run for one to six days. In 2014, MAIN developed a training-of-trainers (ToT) module to spread best practices on financial education and income-generating activities. In 2015, we developed another ToT module on credit and risk management.

In 2001, we began offering associate’s degree programs through Uganda Martyrs University. We have also worked with Cameroon’s Catholic University in Central Africa since 2006 and Togo’s Catholic University of West Africa since 2012 to offer master’s degrees in microfinance practice.

MC: What would you say to someone who is thinking about attending the African Microfinance Week for the first time?

MA: I encourage all industry players to participate in African Microfinance Week because it has become a powerful tool in the great orchestra of development and the fight against financial exclusion.

Mr Attanda is the CEO of the Microfinance African Institutions Network (MAIN). This interview is part of a sponsored series on the second annual Semaine Africaine de la Microfinance, which is held each year by ADA in partnership with several African organizations (named above).

Additional Sources and Resources:

MICROFINANCE EVENT: African Microfinance Week (Semaine Africaine de la Microfinance), June 29 – July 3, 2015, Dakar, Senegal, With On-site Reporting by MicroCapital: https://www.microcapital.org/microfinance-event-ada-to-host-african-microfinance-week-semaine-africaine-de-la-microfinance-june-29-july-3-2015-dakar-senegal-with-on-site-reporting-by-microcapital/

SPECIAL REPORT: Frédéric Ruaz on Semaine Africaine de la Microfinance (SAM, African Microfinance Week), June 29 – July 3, 2015, Dakar, Senegal: https://www.microcapital.org/special-report-frederic-ruaz-on-semaine-africaine-de-la-microfinance-sam-african-microfinance-week-june-29-july-3-2015-dakar-senegal/

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

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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