The rural economy and microfinance institutions in Malawi; Survey design and description of the data; Econometric analysis of the impact of access to credit on household welfare; Results of the econometric analysis; Conclusions and implications for policy; Econometric methodology.
This report assesses the achievements and challenges for microfinance service delivery in Malawi, with particular attention to rural and agricultural markets. It identifies key elements that influence the development of Malawi's financial system, and provides some recommendations and opportunities for investors, donors, government and private sector entities to support the development of an inclusive financial system.
Many developing countries have introduced policies to tackle ill-gotten money over the past years. Perception remains that such moves were more a result of international pressure being exercised than genuine ownership of such an agenda. There is not enough analysis and literature of how an anti-financial crime framework does (or does not) contribute to the development path of developing countries or how best to use these tools in a developing country environment. This study was aimed at initially exploring the effects of ill-gotten money or proceeds of crime and anti-money laundering policies on economic development. The study focused on two developing countries: Malawi, (a low-income country) and Namibia (an upper-middle-income country). The starting point of this analysis is that anti-money laundering is essentially a tool to address criminal activities and that, as a result, understanding criminal activities and how proceeds of crime impact development. The purpose of this study was: (i) to provide an initial answer to the question if and how measures to address proceeds of crime contributes to economic development; and (ii) to develop a framework that enable governments in developing countries to analyze the main sources of ill-gotten money and its effects on the economy.
The objective of the research project “Development of a training model in the strengthening of microfi-nance in Uganda” has been the definition and the dissemination of a training model in the field of microfi-nance in Uganda. The project can be replicated on a national scale and would have the potential to improve the effectiveness of this sector in order to ultimately reduce financial exclusion. The project achieved main results as follows: organization of a specialized course to improve professional capabilities of local experts working in the field of microfinance in Uganda;implementation of the sustainability to be achieved in terms of microfinance projects’ dissemination by helping the new operators to the introduction of new initiatives in remote areas;improvement of the mobility of trained human resources in order to develop develop a comparative approach to microfinance, in paticular to the issue of microinsurance;creation of an internet portal, in both Italian and English, to open an interesting communicative window;improvement of the availability of relevant data in order to assess the progress and the impact of microfinance projects;sharing micro-entrepreneurial experiences that can create positive externalities to further expand productive activities;dissemination of best practices that will improve entrepreneurial skills, fostering greater impact on the socio-economic context.
Since the 1980s when the microfinance revolution began, much has been accomplished, but the field became more refined in the 1990s as a result of shifts in paradigms, strategies, and development practices. This volume addresses the three policy objectives that now occupy those who wish to use credit as a development tool: financial sustainability of microfinance institutions, outreach to the poor, and welfare impact. Inevitable tradeoffs exist among these objectives, and the book advances an analytical framework that assists students of and experts in microfinance to identify the tradeoffs and synergies at the institutional level and in the policy environment. The book features a wealth of empirical data and innovative analytical studies, and critically discusses the role of public support for microfinance institutions (MFIs) in light of the social costs and benefits generated by such financial systems. The book is organized into five parts. The first discusses the demand for and access to financial services by the poor, emphasizing that demand-oriented, pro-poor financial services are crucial in reaching the poor. The second is concerned with two of the criteria used to evaluate MFIsoutreach and financial sustainability. The third features innovative econometric studies seeking to evaluate the impact of MFIs at the household level. The fourth looks at the role of both public- and private-sector institutions in developing sustainable financial systems. And the fifth summarizes implications for policy and research. Given the lack of sound, empirical literature on microfinance, this volume is sure to advance knowledge and research methodology in the field.
"The global AIDS epidemic has caused over 25 million deaths since 1981, and there is no end in sight. It is a multidimensional, phased, long-wave crisis with impacts that will be felt for decades to come. Attempts to defeat the epidemic are conventionally grounded in the three core pillars of AIDS policy: prevention, treatment and care, and mitigation. But there is also an urgent need for a deeper understanding of the integral role that food and nutrition can and should play, and a corresponding urgency to use that understanding to improve responses at all levels.The 18 essays in AIDS, Poverty, and Hunger: Challenges and Responses contribute to such an understanding by examining the impacts of HIV and AIDS on labor markets and wages, household income and consumption dynamics, and the agricultural sector as a whole; by studying the ways in which households respond to prime-age illness, death, and food insecurity; and by exploring the implications of local responses for the roles that national and international actors must play in addressing the AIDS-hunger nexus.This book creates an opportunity for development professionals to build the conceptual links lacking in current multisectoral frameworks, assess impacts and costs, propose indicators and monitoring systems, and design appropriate food- and nutrition-related interventions and policies."
In its fourth edition, this report focuses on recent developments in Africa's banking sectors and the policy options for all stakeholders. The study of banking sectors across all African sub-regions includes the results of the EIB survey of banking groups operating in Africa. Three thematic chapters address challenges and opportunities for financing investment in Africa: Crowding out of private sector lending by public debt issuance The state of bank recovery and resolution laws in Africa Policy options on how to finance infrastructure development. The report finds that in many African banking markets, the last two years saw a pause in financial deepening. However, a rising share of banking groups report improving market conditions and plan a structural expansion of their operations in Africa and a continued push for new technologies.
This Volume XIV analyses the New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa. Institutional issues and perspectives in designing new growth and poverty alleviation strategies are considered in various case studies (Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Botswana and Tanzania). Other studies deal with institutional problems of resource-rich countries after conflict (Sudan), and with the institutions to enhance environmental protection parallel with economic growth and poverty reduction (Niger). Further studies deal with institutions to bridge the gap between formal and informal entrepreneurial sectors in Kenya and Tanzania. Local issues and perspectives for designing new growth and poverty alleviation strategies are considered in case studies on rural-urban development gaps in Tanzania, and on microfinance as an instrument for new growth and poverty alleviation strategies (Tanzania and Eritrea). A study on small farmers in Ghana provides information on the role they can play in value chains. Two studies on Nigeria highlight the local and the sub-regional health and poverty alleviation programmes and the relation to growth. Book Reviews and Book Notes on the theme are part of the volume. This Volume builds the foundation for a comprehensive strategy of policy reforms in Africa so as to integrate new growth and poverty alleviation strategies. Complementary to Volume XIV is Volume XIII on New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa - International and Regional Perspectives. Both Volumes are of importance for all those who work in African countries as officials, executives, managers, researchers, and policy-makers, but also for all those who actively support Africa's development concerns at the international, regional, country, local and project levels. They will experience this Volume XIV and also the complementary Volume XIII as indispensable sources of insight, reference and inspiration.