Search results
The next chapter for private equity in sub-Saharan Africa
Private equity is well suited to the continent and is attracting an increasingly diverse spectrum of investors. It is true that its activities remain focused on a few markets, and that concerns remain...
News
Published on
Traps to avoid, lessons to be learned
What have the millions spent by development agencies on technical assistance actually been used for? What part will technical assistance play in the future? Critical examination of assistance programm...
News
Published on
Impact assessment of technical assistance projects
It is becoming increasingly necessary to assess the impact of technical assistance projects. But the standard indicators, most of which are based on quantitative measurements, are not necessarily appr...
News
Published on
European Union support for the private sector
European Union technical assistance is implemented at micro-, meso- and macroeconomic level to encourage growth and benefit different sectors of the population, including the poorest. Programmes aim t...
News
Published on
Accelerating the expansion of microinsurance
Technical assistance provided by LeapFrog Labs enables microinsurance companies to grow stronger and innovate. This article highlights LeapFrog's investment strategy for microinsurance, describes the...
News
Published on
The Economic Impact of the Development of Mobile Telephony: Results from a Case Study in Haiti
Haitian data confirm that mobile phone development acts as an engine for economic growth, what consequently brings a number of social benefits. However, a large part of the population remains excluded...
News
Published on
Rebuilding a Shattered Nation: The Impact of Wireless Communication and Mobile Banking in Afghanistan
In an extremely difficult context – that of Afghanistan at war – mobile phones provide users with some basic services that are essential for the country's reconstruction. The explosion in the developm...
News
Published on
The Impacts of the Mobile Phone Sector on Development: Mixed Results?
The expansion of the mobile phone sector in developing countries would appear to have obvious benefits. However, the conditions in which this takes place can sometimes be questioned. Deregulation in t...
News
Published on
How to Succeed in Developing Countries for a Mobile Telephony Operator? The Case of Milicom
Some mobile phone operators invested in developing countries very early on, whereas profitability seemed to be uncertain. If such investments are to be profitable, it is necessary to respect some key...
News
Published on
Mobile Phones, Markets and Firms in Sub-Saharan Africa
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the use of mobile phones has positive impacts on the way local consumer goods markets operate. Indeed, a study conducted in Niger shows that mobile phones help reduce costs and...
News
Published on
Mobile Telephony: A Transformational Tool for Growth and Development
The past 15 years have brought an unprecedented increase in access to telephone services in developing countries. This growth has been driven primarily by wireless technologies. Mobile phones have mad...
News
Published on
The African Mobile Phone Market: Beyond the Boom Phase, Between the Promise and Uncertainty of Maturity
The growth of African mobile markets over the past decade has been dramatic and well documented. Its impact has been far-reaching, directly through large capital investments and the emergence of large...
News
Published on
Microfinance: on the road to responsible finance?
Although serious abuses may be in the minority, the microfinance sector is not without flaws – or temptations. Some highly competitive markets put considerable pressure on costs to the detriment of se...
News
Published on
ACTIVA FINANCES LTD
Proparco's aim in supporting the development of Activa, a leading insurer in Sub-Saharan Africa, is to support the diversification in the range of financial products in the region – particularly in C...
Project
How can a MFI manage to have a commercial status and still target “vulnerable” people as a core client group?
When loans are extended to “vulnerable” people, too many of them are left overindebted – this could lead to a highly risky credit crisis. If microfinance institutions need to develop into fully-fledge...
News
Published on
Microfinance, an opportunity for socially responsible investment
Microfinance used to be seen as a simple development tool, but now provides private investors with attractive investment opportunities. It creates social benefits by helping to democratize access to f...
News
Published on
The role of development finance institutions in good governance for microfinance
Development finance institutions, via their involvement in the sector, give microfinance greater access to private financing. They also play a decisive role in the governance of microfinance instituti...
News
Published on
Striking a balance between affordable rates and satisfactory profitability in microfinance institutions
The interest rates charged by microfinance institutions (MFIs) are calculated on the basis of their financial situations and profitability targets. To make these rates more affordable for their low in...
News
Published on
Managing the social performance of microfinance institutions
Microfinance is booming. Beyond financial performance, it is essential for the sector not to lose sight of its social objective. The most innovative MFIs are reacting quickly to the first cases of abu...
News
Published on
Recent developments in the impact and mechanisms of microfinance
Microfinance has aroused widespread enthusiasm over the past 20 years. Its specific credit methodology (group solidarity, small loans, etc…) was thought to solve a number of informational problems on...
News
Published on
