Myanmar: Proparco is supporting DAWN, a microfinance institution serving women

By allocating a USD 4m loan to Early Dawn Microfinance Company Ltd. (DAWN) in local currency, Proparco is supporting a microfinance institution whose clients are almost all women, in a complex environment where there is a low level of financial inclusion. 

By allocating a USD 4m loan to Early Dawn Microfinance Company Ltd. (DAWN) in local currency, Proparco is supporting a microfinance institution whose clients are almost all women, in a complex environment where there is a low level of financial inclusion. 

This project is part of the 2X Challenge initiative. This multi-stakeholder initiative aims to support projects that empower women as entrepreneurs, business leaders, employees and consumers of products and services, and increase their participation in the economy. 

This initiative thus contributes to Sustainable Development Goal #5 (Gender Equality).

On the economic front, the project will support the financial inclusion of vulnerable populations. The MFI currently has over 145,000 clients, 99.97% of them are women and they are mainly microentrepreneurs. We estimate that Proparco’s financing will provide over 66,000 more people with access to good quality microfinance products and services from now until 2021. 

On the social front, the project will contribute to employment and training for local communities. The project should support over 22,200 jobs in Myanmar from now until 2021, with 72% of jobs for women expected at the MFI. In terms of training, the MFI prepares a training plan with its employees every year (budget equivalent to 3% of the payroll). All the staff can benefit from it.