13. October 2011
52 rated African microfinance institutions from 20 different countries, together with 24 microfinance investors are attending the 4th AMT Investor’s Fair in Accra, Ghana on 13 and 14 October. This international event is yearly organized by African Microfinance Transparency (AMT), the only organization worldwide which brings together rated microfinance institutions and rating agencies.
Organised by AMT, an organization which was founded and coordinated by ADA ((in French: Appui au Développement Autonome), this african microfinance event is supported by ADA through funding of the Luxembourg Cooperation. This 4th edition is also sponsored by several actors of the sector: Accion, the European Investment Bank, Citi Microfinance, Fefisol, responsAbility and Regmifa. It brings together 130 representatives of rated African microfinance institutions, microfinance investors, NGOs, foundations, management information system providers and rating agencies within the Ghanaian capital.
“Transparent practices and efficiency will help microfinance institutions to secure funding, both local and international, which in turn will support the growth of their portfolios and reach a larger number of clients”, underlined Pr Kusi, special advisor to the Ghanaian Minister of Finance, “open and transparent microfinance institutions must therefore be the industry standard.”
The agenda will alternate between speed dating sessions bringing microfinance institutions together with investors, rating agencies and MIS providers, as well as information sessions on microfinance and transparency of the sector in Africa. The Investor’s Fair is also an opportunity for AMT to launch the 3rd edition of its biannual publication “The 2011 Directory of Microfinance Investors for African MFIs”, which brings together 40 investors.
Since 2001, AMT has committed itself to the promotion of transparency and the development of a rating culture within the African microfinance sector. The AMT Investor’s Fair, first launched in 2008, is driven by the objective of bringing together MFIs and investors in order to facilitate the funding of African microfinance institutions. The previous edition brought together the Luxembourg Microfinance and Development Fund (LMDF) and Taanadi SA. This microfinance institution serves rural populations in south western Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world where very few foreign microfinance investors are present. LMDF funding – 400.000 EUR over 2 years – has enabled Taanadi to renew its funding sources and respond to the growing demand of its client base thereby contributing towards poverty reduction.
More information about AMT : www.amt-forum.org
Photos
Photo of the opening ceremony
In his opening speech, Luc Vandeweerd, ADA Strategic Director and AMT founding member, has underlined the importance of the Luxembourg Cooperation in this events's success. The Luxembourg Ministry for Foreign Affairs was indeed, through his support of ADA's activities, the only sponsor of the first edition of the Fair, which took place in Dakar in 2008.
Photos of the MFI-investors speed dating sessions
Credit: Forum AMT
