Virtual conference: Getting past the technology hurdles at MFIs

July 2, 2010    

Why do MFIs struggle with technology and what can MFIs, donors, investors, software vendors and others do to improve the situation?

CGAP and the Grameen Foundation, with support from the Mastercard Foundation, recently co-organized a series of workshops to discuss what needs to happen to improve the use of technology at MFIs. Workshops took place in Washington, D.C., Kenya, India, and Peru in an attempt to understand the issues at both a global and regional level. Proceedings from all workshops are available on the CGAP website.

Join us on 7-8 July 2010, for a virtual conference to discuss several themes which emerged from the workshops:

1. Capacity building to improve vendor/MFI relations and outcomes. Training for both MFIs and vendors would promote greater preparation on the part of MFIs and better understanding of the microfinance business on the part of the vendors. But what type of training is necessary and by whom? What other steps could be taken to ease the technology challenges at MFIs?
2. New ideas to propel the use of technology at MFIs. Will new business models, such as Software as a Service (SaaS), change the way MFIs interact with technology? Would increased use of standards improve the quality of software products available to MFIs? Would greater involvement by funders lead to better systems outcomes at MFIs? What other ideas would help move the microfinance industry past this information systems challenge?

The discussion will take place beginning at 9 am EST (GMT -5) on 7 July 2010, and continue through 9 am EST 9 July 2010. No registration required. To participate, just visit CGAP’s Technology Blog on 7 July 2010.