MICROFINANCE PAPER WRAP-UP: “Land Titling and Microcredit in Cambodia: Examining the Reality of Hernando de Soto’s ‘Three Steps to Heaven,’” by Milford Bateman

In this paper, Dr Bateman examines the Cambodian microcredit industry and argues against prior claims that increases in land titling lead to access to credit that enables poor landowners to increase their incomes. The results are based on

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Network International Unveils “Networkpay” Tools for SMEs in Egypt to Accept Digital Payments

UAE-based Network International recently rolled out its “networkpay” brand to bring its “direct-to-merchant” payment systems to Egypt. The service menu includes tools allowing retailers to accept point-of-service and

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Echosys, Rgreen Raise $93m for Solar Power for SMEs in Africa via Afrigreen Debt Impact Fund

Two French firms, Echosys Invest and Rgreen Invest, recently announced the first close of their Afrigreen Debt Impact Fund with EUR 88 million (USD 93 million) to finance solar power plants for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The fund will focus on Central and West Africa, and it is to include local-currency financing for projects in

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Fintech Zeepay Nets $10m in Debt Financing, Expanding Digital Wallet Services in Africa, Latin America

Verdant Capital, an African corporate finance firm, recently announced it has raised USD 10 million in “medium-term” debt funding for Zeepay, a financial technology (fintech) company serving 20 countries in Africa as well as – via partners – markets in the Americas and Europe. Zeepay, which has offices in Ghana and the UK, plans to use the funding to expand:

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: I&P Leads $8m Debt, Equity Funding Round for Zeepay to Expand Mobile Money Services in Africa

Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P), a France-based investor in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in sub-Saharan Africa, recently led a funding round for Zeepay, a financial technology (fintech) company with offices in Ghana and the UK, to expand Zeepay’s digital wallet services to more countries in Africa. The funding round comprises USD 3 million in equity from I&P, USD 800,000 in equity from Ark Holdings, USD 800,000 in

MICROFINANCE PAPER WRAP-UP: “Debt Relief in the Pandemic: Lessons from India, Peru and Uganda;” by Elisabeth Rhyne, Eric Duflos; Published by CGAP

In response to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, regulators in approximately 115 countries directed financial service providers (FSPs) to grant debt moratoria and restructuring to their borrowers. The authors of this paper reviewed surveys, interviews and other materials regarding

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Government of India May Waive Microfinance Debt for “Small Distressed Borrowers”

The Indian government reportedly is planning a debt waiver program for “small distressed borrowers” under the country’s insolvency and bankruptcy code. While the criteria under which a borrower would qualify for the program remain under discussion, potential parameters include