CEOs with a dedication to continuous improvement, a passion for people and an appreciation of the extraordinary challenges of our time, came together online last week to launch Oikocredit’s forum for CEOs in Africa. The launch of this programme comes at a time when it is becoming evident that the situation brought on by Covid-19 is not something that will be resolved in a matter of a few months. Ging […]
Earlier in the COVID-19 crisis, Daniel Rozas wrote a widely circulated blog post analyzing the liquidity situation of microfinance institutions (MFIs) using MIX Market data from 2016 and 2018. Thanks to the CGAP Global Pulse Survey of Microfinance Institutions, we are now able to refresh his analysis with current data — and the results are striking. While the data show that MFIs have largely averted a liquidity crisis, this depends on investor willingness to […]
Verdant Capital, a signatory of the Investor Guidelines, has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on “Coordinating among MIVs in response to COVID-19”. Verdant Capital has long collaborated with other market participants on such initiatives and recognizes the constructive outcomes for the viability of inclusive financial institution (IFIs). Specific measures among lender groups to ease the burden on such institutions – such as consolidated reporting and liquidity forecasting templates […]
Many in the global financial inclusion community are concerned about the impact that COVID-19 is having on microfinance institutions (MFIs) and their clients. In CGAP’s conversations with stakeholders over the last several months, we have repeatedly heard the following questions: How is portfolio quality being impacted by COVID-19? Are MFIs facing a liquidity crisis? Is the solvency of institutions at risk? What is the outlook on the sector among MFIs? […]
Today, we are facing a health and economic crisis unprecedented in its size and complexity – affecting both supply and demand, developed and developing countries – and disrupting markets, trade, investment-led growth and job creation. The IMF anticipates a global economic contraction of 3% while the World Bank foresees a 35% decrease in FDI flows to developing countries due to the impact of COVID-19. Our group of more than […]
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Proparco, a subsidiary of Agence Française de Développement (AFD) devoted to private sector financing, have agreed to collaborate more closely to create markets, mobilize private sector investment, and support economic recovery in developing countries in the wake of the COVID-19 global crisis. Seeking to address the need for increased collective action among development finance institutions, the Joint Collaboration Framework Agreement (JCFA) […]
Courtesy of Women’s World Banking, a Signatory of Investor Guidelines. The Covid-19 global pandemic has heightened the strategic importance of integrating digital channels into how financial services providers engage with customers. How can financial services providers respond to the challenge and find opportunities to remain relevant to low-income women, as they navigate the economic consequences of Covid-19? Digital financial services are the new normal, and for good reason. Financial services […]
Inclusive fintech has always had to find a balance between tech and human touch, but the global pandemic is shifting that balance Tech alone hasn’t been a silver bullet for bringing useful financial tools to low-income people and businesses around the world. That’s why Accion Venture Lab released our 2018 report on the “Tech Touch Balance,” which lays out the continued need for a human touch in delivering financial services to the […]
Around the world we are confronted with a universal pandemic that does not discriminate. An unusual picture of global equality is emerging, engendered by the coronavirus’ brutal treatment of all humans no matter who they are. However, while countries across the globe implement similar measures to fight the virus, we must acknowledge the inequality between nations’ resources and abilities to overcome the impact of a pandemic. Social distancing is […]
Goodwell Investments announced its inclusion in the ImpactAssets 50 for the third consecutive year. An annual showcase of impact investment fund managers, ImpactAssests 50 (IA 50), has released its 2020 list of top 50 fund managers delivering financial returns through social and environmental impact. Now in its ninth year, IA50 is the first publicly available database of outstanding private debt and equity impact investment fund managers from across the globe. […]