Program: Purpose: Amount: Term: Start date: Location:

Microfinance Increase transparency in the microfinance industry and expand coverage in Africa $2 million to improve reporting in the microfinance industry Three years September 2010 Global

Why We Partnered

The Microfinance Information Exchange, Inc. (MIX) is the leading business information provider dedicated to strengthening the microfinance sector. The organization’s core focus is to provide objective data and analysis on microfinance providers. In doing so, MIX promotes financial transparency in the industry and helps build the information infrastructure in developing countries.

The MIX Market 2.0 website was launched in 2009 in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation. The website publishes and analyzes data collected by MIX from nearly 1,500 microfinance institutions (MFIs) in developing countries. MIX 2.0 has been highly regarded for its ease-of-use, speed, and accuracy. In order to broaden coverage, MIX would like to provide more data on savings banks, credit unions, and other non-traditional providers such as savings groups or mobile networks, particularly in Africa. There is currently a lack of timely and reliable information on the performance of MFIs in Africa. Without widely accessible and credible channels to share their data, African institutions will not gain the visibility required to attract investors.

The partnership between MIX and The MasterCard Foundation will implement MIX’s ongoing data collection and analysis of MFIs around the world. In addition, it will enable MIX to develop a specific plan to expand its information base in Africa. MIX will collaborate with local and regional organizations in Africa to identify partnership opportunities to scale up data coverage. Based on assessments of current partners, MIX will test technological solutions that will enable a wide range of African MFIs to report their social and financial performance.

Anticipated Impact

• Enhance the MIX 2.0 web and database platforms to enable on-going reporting and publication of accurate, high quality data on the microfinance industry in developing countries.
• Develop a comprehensive plan to expand data coverage of the microfinance industry in Africa and improve efficiency, visibility and access to information among African MFIs.