Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / This thesis is both a qualitative and quantitative study, investigating the sustainability of Credit Management Services Limited (CMS) within the broader context of the Zambian micro finance industry. Micro finance is regarded as one of the tools for poverty reduction. As such, making microfinance available to many poor people is the purpose of microJinance. Over the years it has become clear that microfinance institutions have to operate efficiently and be self-sustai nable in order to continue assisting the poor. However. in spite of the support and encouragement given for sustainability, evidence shows that there are few sustainable microfinanee institutions in the world. The various factors impacting upon sustainability therefore, need to be examined and means of enhancing sustainabi Ii ty mapped out. The study brought to the fo re the main viewpoints regarding sustainability and how they have been inl1uenced by experiences of MFls around the world. The framework for discussion and analysis of operational sustainability, financial sustainability and operational e ffi ciency is also set out. The study discusses the Zambian microfinance industry and shows how and why the industry has emerged and grown in the past decade. Some constraints are identified that need to be dealt with in order to enhance sustainability of the industry. The study of CMS reveals that the institution is not yet fi nancially sustainable, but that its effi ciency levels are steadily increasing as it has put in place mechanisms to recover costs, charge economic rates of interest and increase and maintain its client outreach. Indicators are that it is moving in the right direction with its cost recovery. increasing client outreach and utilization of loans for on-lending as opposed to subsidies. This study therefore draws on the general experiences of the Credit management Services in order to draw lessons for the Zambian industry. The study will argue the case that though sustainability is difiicult to achieve, there arc positive indicators in the Zambian industry that this is possible and that CMS could be considered as an example. This claim is verified against the experi ence on the ground of Credit Management Services. The study concludes that building a sustainable microfinance industry anywhere is not the easiest task. Sustainabi lity is possible but requires a lot of investment in capacity bui lding and del iberate steps for cost effi ciency, appropriate pricing poli cies and an increased client outreach. The Zambian situation characterised by even a younger industry. will require not only a concerted effort in capacity building, but much more, the need to counter constra ints in the external environment of Mrls. Recommendations lo stake holders inc lude the need to utilise cheaper local human resources and invest in strengthening local institutions owned by local communities, to enhance the sustainability or micro finance initiatives.

Micro finance organizations play an important role since they facilitate integration of all social classes to sustained economic growth. Against this background, exponential growth of data, resulting from transactions and operations carried out with these companies on a daily basis, becomes imminent. Appropriate management of this data is therefore necessary because, otherwise, it will result in a competitive disadvantage due to the lack of valuable and quality information for decision-making and process improvement. Data Governance provides a different approach to data management, as seen from the perspective of business assets. In this regard, it is necessary that the organization have the ability to assess the extent to which that management is correct or is generating expected results. This paper proposes a data governance maturity model for micro finance organizations, which frames a series of formal requirements and criteria providing an objective diagnosis. This model was implemented based on the information of a Peruvian micro finance organization. Four domains, out of the seven listed in the model, were evaluated. Finally, after validation of the proposed model, it was evidenced that it serves as a means for identifying the gap between data management and objectives set.

Poverty is one of the most urgent problems on the international stage today. Although many strategies have been used to fight the escalation of poverty, each plan seems to ultimately fail. Micro-credit, an innovative and progressive idea, can be utilized as a successful and sustainable tool that works to empower people, by providing a means of improving one’s own economic situation. This research seeks to show that micro-credit is a useful way in which poverty can be alleviated in the developing world by fixing the root of the problem. Both Bolivia and Morocco are used as case studies to show that micro-credit is neither region nor context specific, and that ultimately this is the best tool to fight poverty in the developing world. Additionally, this research sheds light on the idea that supporting micro-credit institutions is ultimately in the best interest for all involved in the international community.

Classé au 162ème rang mondial sur 183, le Togo fait parti des pays les moins avancés. Secoué par une grave crise politique dans les 1990 avec des conséquences socio-économiques dramatiques, le pays a réussit à renoué depuis 2006 avec des taux de croissance positifs. Néanmoins, cette performance est encore insuffisante pour réduire considérablement la pauvreté multiforme qui sévit dans le pays. L’objet de cette thèse est de mesurer deux approches de la pauvreté que sont, l’aspect monétaire et multidimensionnel, ce dernier est axé sur les besoins de base. Pour ce faire, les méthodes suivantes sont utilisées : les indices de pauvreté de Foster Greer Thorbecke (FGT) après avoir déterminé un seuil de pauvreté, l’Analyse des Correspondances Multiples (ACM) permettant de construire un Indicateur Composite de Pauvreté (ICP) et enfin des estimations économétriques. Après avoir proposé quelques politiques de ciblage, un intérêt particulier est accordé à la micro-finance. Les résultats statistiques ont démontrés que bien que le taux de remboursement des membres des groupes de crédit soit élevé, leurs conditions de vie restent médiocres. Le constat est également fait que la performance du remboursement n’est pas liée à l’amélioration de la situation monétaire des clients mais de la nature même de la technologie des groupes solidaires. / Ranked 162nd in the world out of 183, Togo is one of the least advanced countries in the world. Shaken by a huge political crisis in the 90’s with dramatic social and economic consequences, the country has had positive GDP growth rates since 2006. However, this performance is still not enough to considerably alleviate the country’s multiform poverty. This dissertation aims to measure two approaches of poverty: the monetary one and basic needs. The measuring tools are: Foster Greer Thorbecke (FGT) poverty indices once a poverty line is determined, Multiple Correspondance Analysis (MCA) used to construct a Composite Poverty Indicator (CPI) and finally econometric estimations. Having introduced some targeting policies, a special attention is paid to micro-finance. Statistical results have shown evidence that, despite the high level of loan repayment by group lending members, they remain non-monetary poor. It is also noticed that the repayment performance isn’t linked to any improvement of the credit group member’s monetary situation, but rather to the very nature of group lending technology.

Le système bancaire mauritanien a joué un grand rôle dans le développement du pays. De ce fait, il fut au cœur des grandes réformes financières et économiques initiées en Mauritanie. Un système bancaire qui, bien que, largement, inspiré d’autres systèmes (en particulier, le système français), présentera des spécificités qui lui sont propres. L’approche choisie est, à la fois, historique (abordant, de façon chronologique, les différentes étapes d’évolution du système bancaire mauritanien) et thématique (abordant les grands aspects qui distingueront chaque étape). Une approche qui met, également, l’accent sur l’importante dimension juridique de cette évolution. La présente thèse sera consacrée, principalement, à la présentation, des différentes composantes du système bancaire mauritanien (banques classiques, banques islamiques et banques étrangères) et des différentes structures d’appui financier à ce système bancaire, au niveau de la collecte de l’épargne ou d’octroi de crédit (établissements financiers non bancaires, sociétés d’assurances et institutions de microcrédit). Aussi, la place de la finance islamique dans le paysage bancaire mauritanien et la dynamique des relations des pouvoirs publics avec les institutions composant le système bancaire mauritanien constitueront-elles un autre volet de la présente thèse au cœur de laquelle, figure, d’autre part, l’évaluation du degré de compatibilité du système bancaire mauritanien avec les standards internationaux / The mauritanian banking system played a major role in the development of the country. As a result, it was at the heart of the major financial and economic reforms initiated in Mauritania. A banking system which, although largely inspired by other systems (in particular the french system), will present specific features of its own. The approach chosen is both historical (dealing chronologically with the different stages of the development of the mauritanian banking system) and thematic (addressing the major aspects that will distinguish each stage). An approach that also emphasizes the important legal dimension of this development.This thesis will be devoted mainly to the presentation of the different components of the mauritanian banking system (classic banks, Islamic banks and foreign banks) and the various financial support structures for this banking system, (non-bank financial institutions, insurance companies and microcredit institutions). Also, the role of islamic finance in the mauritanian banking landscape and the dynamics of relations between public authorities and the institutions composing the mauritanian banking system will constitute another part of the present thesis at the heart of which, on the other hand, the assessment of the degree of compatibility of the mauritanian banking system with international standards

Micro-finance institutions are leading a revolution in the financial sector, particularly in banking. This provides a renewed focus on the way financial credit is provided to the marginalised society of the developing countries. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, small and medium enterprises constitute almost 80% of the entrepreneurial population. There is therefore, considerable urgency to advance the performance and competitiveness of these small and medium enterprises. The aim of this study is to establish the effect of micro-finance institutions, on the performance of small and medium enterprises in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Literature reviewed for this study provided insights into the effects of micro-finance institutions on the performance of small and medium enterprises that accessed micro-loans. This study comprises of 77 small and medium entrepreneurs that participated in the empirical research. The performance of small and medium enterprises was assessed through the use of a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of statements on socio-demographics, the functioning of micro-finance institutions and the performance of small and medium enterprises. The study revealed that the largest group of respondents were male entrepreneurs, married, in the age group category of 30 to 50 years, have a household size of 1 to 5 people and have 1 to 5 years of experience in business. Entrepreneurs mostly utilized financial services such as saving accounts, money transfers and training and technology. Furthermore consulting services in the areas of leadership finance and operations were mainly received from micro-finance institutions. The study revealed that micro-finance institutions principally play the role of facilitator of growth, tool for social change, provider of banking systems and instrument for empowerment to SMEs. The two sources of financing utilized mostly by small and medium enterprises were loans from micro-finance institutions and from commercial banks. The borrowed finance was used principally to start a new business, expand an existing business and for working capital. The amounts of money borrowed from micro- loans were as follow: 5 000,00 (US $) or less, between 6 000 and 10 000,00 (US $) and 11 000,00 to 15 000, 00 (US $) The interest rates paid were from 11% to 20%, 21% to 30% and 51% and above. The collateral provided was in the form of physical assets such as a car or a house. The results of the mean score factor indicated that on average, responses for questions 14 to 19 were above 2.5 on the scale of 1 to 4. The mean score above 2.5 was the indication that respondents agreed to a larger extend to these statements. This leads to the conclusion that overall, the effect of micro-finance institutions on the performance small and medium enterprises in the Democratic Republic of Congo was positive, as proved by the mean score factor. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Esta pesquisa tem como foco os processos de desenvolvimento cultural e organizacional necessários à formação de mercados financeiros formais em regiões de baixa-renda. Para tanto, analisa o caso das cooperativas de crédito da região sisaleira da Bahia, uma experiência notável de inserção de populações de baixa renda no mercado financeiro. Com o acesso a serviços financeiros a baixos custos e a capacitação e assistência técnica proporcionadas pela associação dos pequenos produtores, os agricultores passaram a investir em atividades econômicas mais adaptadas ao clima semi-árido, ter acesso a novos mercados, planejar melhor a produção e o consumo, elevar a renda e promover o desenvolvimento local. Nessa região em que os sertanejos encontravam-se, e uma parte ainda é, dependentes de monopólios tradicionais que se perpetuavam através de vínculos personalistas de controle, os sertanejos contraem constante endividamento junto a comerciantes locais. A ação das Comunidades Eclesiais de Base e dos sindicatos de trabalhadores rurais, a partir dos anos 70, foi decisiva para promover um processo de desenvolvimento cultural e a formação de uma densa rede de organizações que possibilitaram ampliar o acesso dos agricultores ao mercado financeiro e a novos canais de comercialização. Por meio de uma análise interdisciplinar e crítica da realidade concreta e dos conceitos da sociologia econômica, da economia institucional, da teoria dos sistemas agrários e da antropologia, são reconstruídos os processos históricos que levaram à formação de cooperativas, é analisada a influência do clima sobre os mercados, é investigada a racionalidade econômica do sertanejo e são desvendadas as estruturas sociais que sustentam as novas organizações econômicas e o desenvolvimento recente da região sisaleira da Bahia. / This study aims to understand the cultural development processes required to create markets. The analysis is focused on the case of credit cooperatives in the sisal region of Bahia, which represents an outstanding experience of inclusion of low income people in the financial market. Access to low-cost financial services, together with training and technical assistance provided by the small growers association, allowed them to invest in economic activities more adapted to the semi-arid region, to reach new markets, to plan production and consumption, to increase their income and to promote local development. In this region, local people (the sertanejos) used to be - and still are dependent on traditional monopolies that perpetuate by means of personalized control ties, which keep them constantly in debt with local traders. The action of both the comunidades eclesiais de base (grassroot catholic organization) and the rural labor unions were crucial to promote a process of cultural development and the formation of a dense net of organizations responsible for increasing the growers´ access to the financial market and to new marketing channels. The analysis is based on a historical, inter-disciplinary and critical approach, and on concepts of economic sociology, institutional economics, agrarian systems and anthropology. The historical processes are reconstructed, the climate influence on the market is analyzed, the economic rationality of the sertanejo is investigated and the social structures that support the new economic organization and development of Bahia´s sisal region are revealed.

<p>The subject of this paper is microfinance and the question: Do self-sustainable MFI:s alleviate poverty?.</p><p>A MFI is a micro financial institution, a regular bank or a NGO that has transformed into a licensed financial institutions, focused on microenterprises. To answer the question data has been gathered in Ecuador, South America. South America have a large amount of self sustainable MFI:s. Ecuador was selected as the country to be studied as it has an intermediate level of market penetration in the micro financial sector. To determine relative poverty before and after the access to microcredit, interviews were used. The data retrieved in the interviews was used to determine the impact of micro credit on different aspects of relative poverty using the Difference in Difference method.</p><p>Significant differences are found between old and new clients as well as for the change over time. But no significant results are found for the difference in change over time for clients compared to the non-clients. The author argues that the insignificant result can either be a result of a too small sample size, disturbances in the sample selection or that this specific kind of institution have little or no affect on the current clients economical development.</p>

Cette recherche qui porte sur la micro finance a comme zone d'étude la Moyenne Guinée ou Fouta Djallon, une des quatre régions naturelles de la Guinée. L'objectif principal est d'analyser la façon dont la micro finance contribue à articuler la finance formelle (banques) et la finance informelle (tontines, banques villageoises, etc.) pour fournir des services financiers durables en milieu rural et d'étudier son incidence sur la lutte contre la pauvreté. Tant au plan régional (Afrique de l'Ouest) qu'au plan national guinéen, nous avons souligné que les différents secteurs financiers fonctionnent dans un contexte de cloisonnement relativement souple. Le secteur de la micro finance, le dernier né des secteurs financiers, constitue aujourd'hui une alternative forte dans la collecte de l'épargne et le financement des activités locales à travers des mécanismes novateurs établis essentiellement sur la base de la proximité avec les populations locales. Pourtant, nous montrons comment deux visions de la micro finance continuent à s'affronter : l'une sociale, fondée sur le bon vouloir des donateurs, donc fortement dépendante des bailleurs de fonds; l'autre, commerciale, institutionnelle, fondée sur la volonté de construire une véritable autonomie fonctionnelle de l'IMF, à la fois aux plans, technique, financier et humain. Par ailleurs, nous avons montré comment le débat sur le lien entre micro finance et pauvreté n'est pas encore tranché, tant les impacts sur le terrain interpellent les chercheurs et les bailleurs de fonds sur l'efficacité de la micro finance comme outil de réduction effective de la pauvreté. La question demeure de voir comment la micro finance peut être un élément de décloisonnement à travers une articulation entre finance formelle et finance informelle. Pour répondre à cette question, nous avons identifié deux arguments qui constituent les deux parties de la thèse. La première partie expose la diversité des modes de financement en Afrique de l'Ouest, fait le lien entre micro finance et pauvreté, en reprenant les débats théoriques qui continuent à s'affronter sur cette question et présente la problématique de l'articulation entre services financiers comme solution de décloisonnement et d'amélioration de la fourniture des dits services. La deuxième partie montre des exemples empiriques d'articulation entre banque, micro finance et finance informelle à travers les pratiques des usagers et formule quelques préoccupations sur le devenir de cette activité dans la région.

The subject of this paper is microfinance and the question: Do self-sustainable MFI:s alleviate poverty?. A MFI is a micro financial institution, a regular bank or a NGO that has transformed into a licensed financial institutions, focused on microenterprises. To answer the question data has been gathered in Ecuador, South America. South America have a large amount of self sustainable MFI:s. Ecuador was selected as the country to be studied as it has an intermediate level of market penetration in the micro financial sector. To determine relative poverty before and after the access to microcredit, interviews were used. The data retrieved in the interviews was used to determine the impact of micro credit on different aspects of relative poverty using the Difference in Difference method. Significant differences are found between old and new clients as well as for the change over time. But no significant results are found for the difference in change over time for clients compared to the non-clients. The author argues that the insignificant result can either be a result of a too small sample size, disturbances in the sample selection or that this specific kind of institution have little or no affect on the current clients economical development.