Searching: Research & Analysis

CGAP-MIX 2009 Sub-Saharan Africa Microfinance Analysis and Benchmarking Report

This report analyzes in detail the state of microfinance in 2008 throughout Sub-Saharan Africa focusing on key growth trends, major legal and regulatory changes, funding for microfinance, and performance of MFIs.

Regulation of Branchless Banking in Kenya

This update of CGAP’s 2007 “Notes on Regulation of Branchless Banking in Kenya” incorporates research conducted by CGAP in January 2010.

Regulation of Branchless Banking in South Africa

This update of CGAP’s 2008 “Notes on Regulation of Branchless Banking in South Africa” incorporates research conducted by CGAP in January 2010.

Poor People Using Mobile Financial Services

Insights into how poor people use M-PESA, its impact on their lives, and some unexpected consequences.

Access to Finance in Nigeria: Microfinance

Given significant financial sector reforms and private sector innovations, there are encouraging signs that access to finance is poised for growth in Nigeria.

CGAP-MIX Africa Microfinance Analysis and Benchmarking Report

This report reviews overall developments throughout Africa and separate breakdowns for each of the four subregions: Central, East, Southern, and West Africa.

Competition and Microcredit Interest Rates

In many countries, including Uganda, Bangladesh, and Bolivia, microfinance has become more competitive in recent years. Competition is generally expected to benefit consumers by offering a wider choice of appropriate products and providers, better service, and lower prices.

Mobile-Phone Banking and Low-Income Customers

This paper presents the first public findings on how low-income people view and use m-banking, using results of a survey of 515 low-income individuals in South Africa. Three hundred of those surveyed do not use m-banking, while 215 are customers of WIZZIT, a startup mobile banking provider. WIZZIT targets the 16 million South Africans who lack or have difficulty accessing formal banking services.

Those Who Leave and Those Who Don’t Join

Understanding client exit and nonparticipation can shed important light on the financial service preferences of clients and help programs learn about the limitations of their existing products and mechanisms. Such lessons can drive the development of innovative, demand-driven microfinance products and systems, benefiting both the institution and the clients.

CGAP’s Pilot Microfinance Capacity-Building Initiative in Africa

In April 1997, the CGAP Secretariat launched an experiment called the CGAP Pilot Microfinance Capacity-building Initiative in Africa. The initiative spanned East and West Africa and focused primarily on working with African training institutes to provide financial management courses to microfinance institutions (MFIs). The Pilot Initiative sought to build the foundation for the development of a market for quality training and technical assistance services offered on a sustainable basis in the region.