South Asia Microfinance Network and ACCESS
Posted by admin on 19 March, 2010
The Indian microfinance industry is growing at unprecedented rates, highlighted in the recently published 2009 MIX Global 100, and is also host to a growing support infrastructure of meso-level institutions. Two such institutions are BWTP Network members the South Asian Microfinance Network (SAMN) and ACCESS Development Services.
South Asian Microfinance Network
The South Asian Microfinance Network (SAMN) is a regional microfinance network with objective to enhance capacity, investment and regional dialogue in the microfinance sector of South Asia. The SAMN membership consists of leading apex institutions from these countries and members along with the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) which governs and manages the activities of SAMN. SAMN also partners with MFIs, Investors, Banks and other key microfinance stakeholders to fulfill its objectives.
Focus area
To improve capacity and financing for tier II MFIs in the region: The sector in the region is dominated by some 30 large MFIs who account for close to 90% of present outreach and portfolio. Given the huge un-met demand, there is need to expand the pool of well-managed MFIs not only for a sustainable and broad-based growth of the sector but to ensure diversity and a competitive market place.
In this context, SAMN partners with tier II MFIs and meets their Technical Assistance (TA) and Financing needs to ensure that each MFI 1) has all key systems and policies functional 2) outperform benchmarks 3) provide client focused products 4) report accurately and transparently and 5) have access to diverse financing sources sustainably. SAMN combines TA and Financing Needs in an innovative and productive manner to optimize resources.
To create regional space for microfinance in south Asia: The sector in the region faces common challenges of, large demand, high political risk, non-conducive regulations and low investments among others. These challenges need common and larger sustained effort to advance the interests of the sector. Further, sector has not adequately capitalized on the presence of regional experience, expertise and knowledge due to constrain on mobility and information gaps.
SAMN through its membership of national networks provides a unique platform for regional exchange. SAMN also aims to become a regional information hub for best practices, sector data, benchmark, regulation and database. The regional exchange is facilitated through website, publications, newsletter and events.
Partnerships
In addition to partnering with tier II MFIs, SAMN also develops long term and structured partnership with meso-level players to capitalize on available knowledge and leverage its actions.
The SAMN BWTP Network member page: http://www.bwtp.org/samn.html
The SAMN Mix Market profile: http://www.mixmarket.org/networks/samn
ACCESS
ACCESS Development Services is a not-for-profit company whose overall aim is to incubate new institutions to enable their self-sufficiency and self-sustainability. To this end, it offers specialised technical assistance under two verticals: microfinance and livelihoods. ACCESS assists the growing microfinance sector through streamlined and structured services to emerging MFIs and supports the enabling environment through the Microfinance India platform. Under the Livelihoods Program Unit, ACCESS impacts the lives of the poor by developing sustainable solutions for upscaling their income generation activities. To optimise its resources and maximise the results of its interventions, ACCESS believes in partnering with key stakeholders in the sector in order to develop mutually reinforcing strategies, bring convergence of competencies and build consensus on key issues.
The ACCESS BWTP Network member page: http://www.bwtp.org/access.html
