Access via sign-up on the event app or by invitation only. English-French translation available.
Microfinance institutions (MFIs) face a regulatory divide across Africa: some can collect deposits, others are restricted to lending – shaping how they serve clients and fuel growth. In credit-only markets, MFIs must turn to alternative sources of capital, such as loans, bonds, or securitisation, raising important questions about long-term sustainability. Even where savings mobilisation is allowed, many MFIs still rely heavily on debt, with savings-to-loan ratios often falling below 50%. A roundtable of MFIs, DFIs and regulatory bodies explores why debt continues to dominate funding models and how the sector can shift towards a more balanced approach.
Key Points
- Which types of consumer protection frameworks can build trust to unlock deposit mobilisation and reduce reliance on debt?
- How can digitalisation offer new pathways to scale up savings?
- To what extent can regulatory reforms safely open the door to deposit mobilisation?