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What We’re Reading: Banking in Africa: Continent of Dreams
Africa is the next frontier for banks from all corners of the globe. Last week, The Economist aptly portrayed both the high hope and sheer uncertainty felt by financial institutions serving the African continent in Banking in Africa: Continent of Dreams. A number of the article’s key points are central to both why and how Read more…
Tagged Africa, Banking, Banking Tools, Economic development, Economics, Economist, Rural banking
Opportunity Ghana Innovates to Reach More Marginalized Clients
Opportunity Ghana is using innovative technology to provide financial services to a greater number of impoverished people in remote and rural areas of the country, many of whom have never before had access to formal banking. Through a “hub-and-spoke” method, Opportunity International uses low-cost delivery methods, including kiosk satellite branches, point-of-sale (POS) devices, cell phone Read more…
Tagged accra, Africa, Banking, Cell phone banking, Clients, Community, Ending Poverty, Financial Access, Financial services, Ghana, Kumasi, Loan Officer, Loan repayment, Loans, Microfinance, mobile banking vehicle, OISL, Opportunity Ghana, Opportunity International, POS devices, Technology
We Invest in Leaders with Staff Transformation and Capacity Building in the Democratic Republic of Congo
In Democratic Republic of Congo, a highly skilled mentor becomes the catalyst for a lifetime of stability for women and their families. That’s what happens when Opportunity International’s capacity building programs equip staff with the knowledge and skill to guide families through their journey out of poverty. This program puts special emphasis on developing women, Read more…
Tagged Africa, Community, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, DR Congo, Emerging Leaders, Financial services, Gilbert Lagaillarde, invest in women, Kinshasa, local staffing, Microfinance, Opportunity International, Training, Women
With a Grant from Citi Foundation, Opportunity Brings Financial Solutions to More Colombians
Opportunity opened a financially-regulated, full-service bank to serve people living in extreme poverty in Bogotá, Colombia in early October. Leveraging a grant from Citi Foundation, a long-time supporter of programs promoting the economic empowerment and financial inclusion of low-income people, we’re developing the capacity to conduct formal banking transactions, including interest-bearing savings, with the goal Read more…
Tagged Bank Building, Bogotá, Citi Foundation, Clients, Colombia, Ending Poverty, Enrique Ordonez, grand opening, Henequen, Latin America, Loans, MFI, Microfinance, Opportunity Colombia, Opportunity International, Poverty, Progress Trust Group, regulated bank, Savings, Technology, Trust Groups
Microfinance’s Risky Lending Is a Safe Bet
The following post by Kadita “A.T.” Tshibaka, on our Board of Directors, was originally published on The Huffington Post. As I look at the microfinance industry globally, I’m encouraged by the trends and the progress we’ve achieved so far. Whether you search in Wikipedia, CGAP or MIX Market, whatever the source of the data and Read more…
Tagged Africa, Board of Directors, CGAP, Clients, code of conduct, Community, Education, Ending Poverty, Financial services, Global Poverty, Huffington Post, Kadita "A.T." Tshibaka, Loan Officer, Loans, MFI, Microfinance, Microfinance industry, mitigate risk, MIX Market, Opportunity International, Poverty, Savings, Smart Campaign, Training, Transformational Training, Uganda, what we're reading
Starting a New Branch in Kyenjojo, Uganda: Building Community Relationships
is more than just and and business—it’s a way forward for many families with few resources and little hope. Wherever we work, we strive to understand the local communities and to get to know the families who use our resources. This is my fourth in a six-part blog series that explores how we serve the Read more…
Tagged Africa, bank branch, Bank Building, Clients, Financial Access, informal banking, Kyenjojo Blog Series, Kyenjojo branch, Loans, Microfinance, Opportunity International, Opportunity Uganda, Portfolios of the Poor, Portfolios of the Poor: How the World's Poor Live on $2 a Day, Poverty, Savings, Uganda
Understanding the Needs of Farmers in Kyenjojo, Uganda
is more than just and and business—it’s a way forward for many families with few resources and little hope. Wherever we work, we strive to understand the local communities and to get to know the families who use our resources. This is my third in a six-part blog series that explores how we serve the Read more…
Tagged Africa, Agricultural finance, Agriculture, bank branch, cassava, Clients, coffee farmer, Community, crop yields, Drought, Farmer, Kyenjojo Blog Series, Kyenjojo branch, Loans, Microfinance, Opportunity International, Opportunity Uganda, Poverty, Savings, Smallholder farmer, Uganda
