Academic literature on the topic 'Microfinance challenges'

Mikrofinanz hat sich zu einem entwicklungspolitischen Schlagwort ausgebildet. In der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit gilt die Vergabe von Kleinstkrediten seit langem als Erfolgsmodell. Was steckt hinter diesem durch den Friedensnobelpreisträger Muhammad Yunus bekannt gewordenen Instrument? Wie sieht die Praxis in den Entwicklungsländern aus? Gibt es für Mikrofinanzierungen auch einen Markt in den entwickelten Ländern. Microfinance has raised high expectations regarding poverty alleviation in the developing countries. Lack of empirical evidence has not, however, diminished the enthusiasm of the proponents of microfinance. The perception that microfinance plays an important role in poverty alleviation has attracted substantial assistance from international donors and local governments. What are the instruments and tools for implementing microfinance successfully in a country? What are the challenges? We have chosen Uganda in East Africa as a good example to see the lessons learnt in microfinance. Even in the industrialized world microfinance plays a more and more important role in the financial sector for customers and institutional investors. Keywords: mikrofinanzierungen, microfinances

This paper attempts to explore the role and importance of microfinance in reducing poverty by generating the income of the poor. Microfinance has been emphasized for poverty reduction in developing countries through executing dual activities such as collection of domestic saving and investment of small loan. In this connection, this paper suggests microfinance practitioners and MFI to follow certain principles for making the microfinance services more sustainable in the long run and sheds light on the problems and challenges of microfinance.
 
 Journal of Nepalese Business Studies Vol.1(1) 2004 pp.69-74

Microfinance Institutions have the potential to alleviate poverty across the world. However, they face many challenges before they can grow to meet set objectives. The use of information technology holds promise to enable such growth. There are some key challenges that must be addressed by microfinance institutions before the full potential of IT can be realized. This paper articulates five key challenges that microfinance institutions face, particularly those operating in rural undeveloped areas in the developing world. This paper also discusses how some of these challenges are being overcome by these institutions. Finally, the authors lay out a framework for building and operating effective information systems.

The purpose of the paper is to highlight the opportunities and challenges faces the microfinance sector in Nepal. Many developmental programs implemented in Nepal, microfinance programs have a strong rural orientation and are targeted at the poor. Numerous challenges are ahead of this sector like lack of accessibility, unhealthy competition, seasonal migration, political unawareness, excluding vulnerable groups, threatening the financial discipline, resource constraints, low level of knowledge. of micro finance institutions (MFIs) etc. On the other hand, the rapid increase in poverty in Nepal, along with other opportunities, is paving way for the growth of this sector and offering a huge market potential for microfinance. On this basis the sector presents a lot of opportunities such as: stimulating growth of economy, women empowerment, increasing volume, accessibility and outreach, economics of scope etc.Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 5, Issue-3: 72-75

PurposeDespite the fact that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in strengthening the financial sector within developing and emerging economies through providing employment opportunities to the rural and urban population, capacity building in the form of skills training and economic empowerment, they still face a plethora of challenges that continue to threaten their existence, performance and growth. Access to operational and administrative funds needed to execute their activities effectively is a significant challenge and detrimental to the growth of SMEs in Uganda. Conversely, Islamic microfinance has been noted as a panacea to the challenges of financial inaccessibility among SMEs, especially in developing countries. The purpose of this paper is therefore to investigate how the adoption of Islamic microfinance can play a fundamental role in enhancing the sustainability of microfinance institutions (MFIs) while meeting the financing challenges of SMEs in Uganda.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, a review of existing literature was carried out to critically examine relevant information (literature sources) and empirical studies on SMEs, their performance and challenges. The study being conceptual tries to understand how Islamic microfinance could be adopted as an alternative scheme of financing to bridge the gap and mitigate the financial challenges facing SMEs.FindingsThe study finds that the existing MFIs have failed to achieve their objectives of providing financial services to the poor and SMEs while remaining sustainable. This has left the majority of SMEs within Uganda's informal sector financially handicapped, thus leading to their failure in meeting their expectations and eventually collapsing even before celebrating their third or fourth birthdays. However, the enactment into law of the Financial Institutions Amendment Act 2016 that paved the way for the introduction of Islamic finance in Uganda, and the Tier 4 Microfinance Institutions and Money Lenders' Act, 2016 that incorporated the aspects of Islamic microfinance within the existing microfinance framework as seen and is perceived as a key factor in addressing the financial challenges faced by MFIs and the SMEs if fully adopted.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is conceptual with no empirical investigation and discussion of key theories. On the contrary, it will be imperative and useful when carrying out more extensive hypothetical studies by future researchers, specifically in the area of Islamic microfinance that is relatively new in Uganda.Practical implicationsPractically, this paper will serve as a guide to policymakers and practitioners in the field of microfinance by adding a flair that could enable in bridging the challenges associated with inadequate financing of SMEs in Uganda.Social implicationsSocially, the social aspects of charity (Zakah and Sadaqah) will help to improve the livelihood of the poorest of the poor who cannot engage in active business through meeting their basic needs of life without begging thereby preventing them from being social outcasts.Originality/valueThe study establishes Islamic microfinance (IMF) as a promising and unexplored viable option potentially needed in intensifying the financing needs of SMEs in Uganda. The paper provides an entirely new dimension in nature and way microfinance products should be structured with a view of ensuring that there is sustainable provision of financial services to SMEs. The paper adds real value to the existing conventional microfinance products and services in Uganda, given the ethical and moral attributes of Islamic microfinancing practices that are assumed to efficiently and effectively motivate SME owners and other small entrepreneurs to thrive.

Countries within the Asian region are continuously struggling to improve the living standards of their citizens. Some of them are still facing a plethora of challenges due to the ever-increasing levels of both relative and absolute poverty. This is especially among the poorest of the poor who have no access to the mainstream financial services. The conventional microfinance institutions have been greatly criticised for their dubious acts of charging exorbitant interests. Islamic microfinance has therefore, been seen as one of the viable alternatives to meeting the challenges of poverty and as an opportunity in the livelihoods of the people in the Asian region. This article analyses the magnitude at which Islamic microfinance can play a fundamental role in alleviating insignificant poverty levels in Brunei Darussalam through using a proposed Mudarabah financing model.