In Sub-Saharan Africa as elsewhere, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role in economic development and job creation. However, because of a general lack of knowledge about this particular segment, the sector hardly achieves its full potential.

Finance has been transformed by digitalization and datafication over the past five decades. The latest wave of technology in finance (Fintech) is re-shaping the sector at an unprecedented pace. This digital financial transformation brings about structural changes, with positive and negative effects, likely even more in the high-potential markets of the Middle East and North Africa.

We argue that sustainable balanced development is preconditioned on financial inclusion, and that FinTech is the key driver for financial inclusion. In turn, the full potential of FinTech to support the Sustainable Development Goals will only be realized with a progressive approach to developing infrastructure to support digital financial transformation.

Regulation is now considered as essential to bring microfinance institutions to formalization and to protect clients. Yet, most studies investigating regulatory issues focus on formal regulation, namely laws, or on the way other forces, just like competition, influence the market. This note presents the key findings of a research exploring a third regulatory mode: industry self-regulation and the role played by professional associations. Through a case study based on the Tanzanian microfinance association, this research draws conclusions on factors that may favor or restrain the potential of such organizations to contribute to the general regulatory framework.

Many regulators have been tempted to cap the lending rates of microfinance institutions, that is, to limit the rates charged to poor and financially excluded clients through microcredit. This has been even truer since the industry commercialized and drew the attention of the public opinion and authorities. Yet, is the outcome of such regulation the desired one? Besides, is this outcome sensitive to market conditions? This note addresses these key questions for regulators to better understand the impact of market conditions on the outcome of their decisions.

Interest rate restrictions have often been set in financial inclusion schemes. Yet, such regulations may present drawbacks affecting both microfinance institutions and their clients. This note presents a case study carried out in Cambodia, where an interest rate cap has recently been set. Beside the insights directly related to the case, theoretical conclusions are drawn to help regulators better understand what to consider when seeking to intervene in a microfinance market.

ADA, Inpulse and the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation have joined forces to hear from their MFI partners and to better understand the impact of the covid-19 crisis from the perspective of financial service providers.

PREPARING STRESS-TESTING AND SCENARIOS WITH MICROVISION final EN

Every two years since 2013, the SAM brings together in one place for a whole week all the actors involved in the development of financial inclusion in Africa.

Financial support from the JP Morgan Chase Foundation enabled the European Microfinance Network (EMN) and Appui au Développement Autonome (ADA) to lead a joint research project to help improve the financial health of micro-entrepreneurs. The purpose of the research was to: (1) understand the financial health issues faced by micro-entrepreneurs, particularly those supported by organisations providing either technical assistance/business development services, referred to as non-financial service providers-NFSP) or (micro)finance services, called financial service providers (FSP), and (2) develop an operational guide for the staff of FSPs and NFSPs in assessing the financial health of micro-entrepreneurs and supporting micro-entrepreneurs in dealing with financial issues that affect both the financial performance of their enterprises and personal well-being.

The Dark Side of Digital Financial Transformation: The New Risks of FinTech and the Rise of TechRisk

Press review of SAM 2019 Compilation of articles and publications on the 2019 African Microfinance Week

Press review of SAM 2019 Compilation of articles and publications on the 2019 African Microfinance Week

CGAP_Customer Centric Change

Fueling Fintech

Microfinance sector study of Central America and the Caribbean This microfinance sector study of Central America and the Caribbean entitled "General Assessment of the Microfinance Sector in Central America and the Caribbean: Strategic Challenges for the Future" was carried out at the end of 2018 as part of a new series of analyses that REDCAMIF will be conducting in the area of information and analysis.

Banking in Africa: Delivering on Financial Inclusion, Supporting Financial Stability