IT for Microfinance Workshop Series
Though it is widely accepted that information systems are a key factor in improving efficiency and accuracy, increasing outreach and reducing costs for MFIs, technology is also consistently cited as one of the greatest challenges faced by MFIs around the world despite the efforts of many over the past decade.
A common agenda and vision for the role of IT in microfinance, embracing such things as standards and interoperability, would reduce risks for commercial efforts and generally help the industry to move away from individual projects toward sets of solutions that are at once broadly applicable yet appropriate to the needs of specific types of MFIs.
CGAP and Grameen Foundation, supported by the MasterCard Foundation and the EU/ACP Microfinance Programme, are convening a workshop series to discuss the use of back office technology in microfinance. Participants will be drawn from four key groups with an interest in this issue:
- MFIs and MFI networks
- Funders, including investors and donors
- Experts, including consultants and multilateral agencies
- Vendors of IT solutions
ACTIVITIES
October 20-21, 2009: First workshop convened in Washington, DC. A document with proceedings from the workshop is available for download (pdf).
December 8-9, 2009: A virtual conference took place on CGAP's Technology Blog. Read the conversation.
February 23, 2010: First of three regional workshops will take place in Nairobi, Kenya. Draft agenda available for download (pdf).
April 2010: India workshop, more information to follow.
May 2010: Peru workshop, more information to follow.
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