ABSTRACT This paper examines the relationship between microfinance institutions and the poor in Beira-Mozambique and the benefits accruing from the established relationships. The study focuses on access to credit and the promotion of entrepreneurship among the target group. The study concludes that the institutions and the target group, especially active clients, treasure close long-term relationships and strive to build and sustain such relationships. However, the relationships have thus far had only a limited, albeit promising, impact on the sustainability of the institutions, access to credit and the promotion of entrepreneurship among the target group. Another major finding is that clients already in the credit relationship do not have serious problems accessing credit upon successful repayment of previous loans. However, those seeking to enter credit relationships face strict entry requirements. In short entering credit relationships is more difficult than staying in them.