The Foundation works towards the financial inclusion of refugees

© Didier Gentilhomme

Since 2019, the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (AIDS) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) join forces to support refugee populations in Uganda.

The Foundation has been selected by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to design and coordinate an innovative program aimed at improving the livelihoods, resilience and financial inclusion of refugees and host communities in Uganda.

Hanadi Tutunji, Financial Inclusion Officer at the UNHCR, looks back on this four-year joint program.

How is financial inclusion a sustainable solution for refugees in Uganda?

Uganda hosts approximately 1.5 million refugees and asylum seekers, making it the largest host country in Africa and the third largest in the world. It has one of the most progressive refugee policies in the world and is a leading country in implementing the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) and the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). In Uganda, refugees live in settlements close to host communities and have access to the same national public services, including health, education, water, livelihoods, and sanitation. Refugees also have freedom of movement, the right to work, and have been included in the country's National Development Plan III.

A large majority of the refugees (94%) live in 13 settlements located in the southwest and north of the country. The remaining 6% live in urban areas near Kampala. Despite Uganda's progressive and inclusive policies, the poverty rate among refugees is nearly twice that of host communities, creating challenges for peaceful coexistence and security issues, particularly for women, girls, and people with special needs.

In 2020, the World Food Programme reduced food rations for refugee populations by 301,000 people due to a lack of funding. The impact of this reduction in food rations was compounded by the COVID-19 crisis and the nationwide lockdown. As a result of the lockdown, 131,000 refugees were forced to stop working (especially those living in urban areas), further increasing their food and financial insecurity.

Durable solutions must therefore be found to address the humanitarian and development challenges facing Uganda, particularly given the large number of refugees in protracted displacement.

Financial inclusion helps increase refugees' access to financial systems, expand economic activity, and promote microenterprises and self-employment. Financial and non-financial services offered to refugees help them sustainably meet their needs. It is therefore important to engage with and facilitate the private sector to develop and deliver tailored financial services to refugees, including access to savings, loans, insurance, and remittances.

Can you explain the specifics of the program?

The program aims to improve access to credit for refugees and their host communities so they can develop income-generating activities. The program's ultimate goal is to improve the resilience of approximately 100,000 households among these populations.

This program, which leverages mixed financing (public and private capital), includes three components: a lenders' guarantee fund, debt financing for three microfinance institutions (MFIs) and technical assistance for MFIs and refugees.

UNHCR shares socioeconomic data, facilitates access to refugees, trains MFI staff on refugee needs and protection, and monitors refugees' participation in financial and business training. The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation, with financial support from Sida, provides the technical assistance component of the program, which aims to provide refugees with non-financial services, such as business training and financial education. Technical assistance also helps cover some of the initial set-up costs incurred by MFIs to expand their lending operations to refugees.

Thanks to the program, MFIs were able to open new branches in the districts of Moyo (Parlorinya settlement), Yumbe (Bidibidi settlement), and Isingiro (Nakivale settlement), where many refugees live. As of the end of March 2021, 14,777 loans had been granted by the MFIs benefiting from the program, including 6,423 loans (44%) to refugee populations. 19,294 people had also benefited from training. Since the program targets both refugees and their host communities, it facilitates links between communities, thus promoting their peaceful coexistence.

What are UNHCR's priorities and perspectives for financial inclusion worldwide?

Refugees' financial needs evolve over time, ranging from financing survival means at the time of arrival to more comprehensive services such as savings, payments and credit at a later stage.

Financial inclusion represents a stepping stone from humanitarian assistance to sustainable business development. UNHCR ensures that refugees and vulnerable people in host communities have access to affordable and appropriate financial services, and that responsible financial service providers deliver these services.

To strengthen financial inclusion, UNHCR aims to expand its partnerships in the future, continue to support and motivate its partners to provide sustainable services to refugees, and support them in their advocacy efforts to improve the regulatory framework.

 

 

[INTERVIEW] African Facility: technical assistance for MLF Zambia

© MicroLoan Foundation (Zambia)

The African Facility is a mechanism set up in 2013 by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation, in partnership with theFrench Development Agency (AFD), to support rural microfinance institutions in sub-Saharan Africa.

This system, which ends at the end of 2021, will have enabled 326 technical assistance missions to 26 microfinance institutions for a total amount of €3.52 million in subsidies.

 A look back at this program through the testimony of Jack Ngoma, Executive Director of MLF Zambia.

Established in 2008, MLF Zambia is a Tier 3 microfinance institution (credit portfolio < 10 million USD). At the end of December 2020, the institution offered credit products and training to a clientele of almost 23,000 women living in rural areas, for an outstanding loan of €830,217. As part of the African Facility's technical assistance program, MLF Zambia was supported in developing a business plan for the period 2021-2025. The consultant in charge of the mission, Thomas Lendzian, from Tukumuka Consulting, enabled the institution to frame its strategy and define an operational action plan, in particular to enable MLF Zambia to expand into new areas and find new sources of financing.

 Why was developing a business plan important for your institution?

An outside perspective was needed to thoroughly analyze the microfinance market in Zambia, to enable us to clearly position ourselves and strengthen our competitiveness. Furthermore, we wanted to be able to effectively communicate our long-term objectives to stakeholders, some of whom are potential investors. The support of the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation was very useful at every stage of the business plan implementation.

 What did you expect from the consultant? Did the results match your expectations?

We were looking for a firm with microfinance expertise and field experience that would help us improve our business planning process. Thomas Lendzian, from the local consulting firm Tukumuka Consulting, was the ideal candidate, and it turned out to be a particularly judicious and relevant recruitment. We appreciated his knowledge of the different regions of Africa, and Zambia in particular, as well as his understanding of industry strategies and trends. The business plan allowed us to better understand the local sector and precisely define our growth projections. We are now equipped to compete and have clarified our long-term objectives. Developing this business plan also allowed us to more clearly communicate our organizational objectives to our staff and stakeholders, and to approach investors identified as relevant.

 What are the priorities defined in the business plan? 

Among the strategic pillars of the five-year business plan, we are targeting significant growth, with the goal of serving 80,000 clients by 2025. We also aim to strengthen our operational efficiency through a revised lending methodology using agent networks and smart technology. We are also focusing on product diversification to provide clients with access to flexible credit products tailored to their activities, particularly agricultural ones. Through the formulation of this business plan, we also hope to establish strategic partnerships with relevant investors and business partners. Finally, strengthening MLF Zambia's social impact, particularly through client retention and improving women's living conditions, is a major objective for the coming years.

 

The agricultural sector in Africa analyzed by the Foundation for Agriculture and Rural Affairs in the World (FARM)

© Didier Gentilhomme (Benin)

The Foundation for Agriculture and Rurality in the World (FARM) is a recognized public utility foundation, whose mission is to promote efficient agriculture and agrifood sectors that respect producers, consumers and the environment, particularly in countries of the South.

At the interface between action and research, FARM fuels debates between decision-makers and development actors through the publication of studies, the organization of events and its contribution to pilot projects.

The agricultural sector in Africa, and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, has also been a central focus of the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation's work since 2008. We invite you to discover the latest articles published by Jean-Christophe Debar, consultant for FARM, on the financing of agricultural policies and the food dependency of the African continent.

The vast majority of governments in sub-Saharan Africa are struggling to meet the commitment made in Malabo in 2014: to devote at least 10 billion of their budgets to agriculture. The economic crisis and rising debt levels due to Covid-19 are making it even more difficult to support the agricultural sector, which is a major challenge in terms of food security, combating deforestation, and adapting to climate change.

Contrary to popular belief, sub-Saharan Africa's reliance on food imports is relatively modest: around 15 to 20 percent of consumption, depending on the country. However, Africa may need to rely more on global markets due to soaring demand driven by population growth, the negative impact of climate change on yields, and the need to combat deforestation.

A founding member of FARM, the Crédit Agricole Group is now increasing its financial support to enable it to expand its scope of study, broaden its scope of intervention, and strengthen its methods of action. The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation is also involved in this new FARM development plan by implementing resource synergies and joint forward-looking discussions starting in 2021.

Discover the entire FARM blog

 

 

The Foundation provides skills support to the Plastic Odyssey LAB

© Yann Vanbesien

19 tons of plastic enter the ocean every minute, less than 10% of the plastic produced is recycled, and 80% of marine pollution comes from coastal cities in the poorest countries. Faced with this observation, the teams of Plastic Odyssey decided to take action by organizing a round-the-world expedition on their ambassador ship. The goal? To build a global network of local plastic recycling initiatives. On board their ship, sorting, recycling, and pyrolysis technologies are made available to entrepreneurs to help them recover waste.

Alongside this expedition, the project's crew members launched their "Plastic Odyssey Lab" (PO LAB) acceleration program to provide skills training to recycling entrepreneurs. Following an initial call for projects in France, six successful candidates were able to join the ambassador ship in July 2021.

On the program:

  • Technical support from Plastic Odyssey engineers, which allows the winners to test their manufacturing processes using on-board recycling machines
  • Entrepreneurial support provided by the Crédit Agricole group via the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and the Regional Banks.

Drawing on its expertise in promoting impactful entrepreneurship, the Foundation has specifically designed training modules for the PO LAB winners, all startups:

We first analyzed the winners' projects and needs, most of them well in advance of their entrepreneurial adventure. In particular, we helped them develop an impact business plan, or, for the most advanced, to specify possible technical and financial partnerships in the impact sector. We also needed to analyze the needs that the PO LAB could meet during their incubation. Once their needs were identified, we sought out the best experts in the Crédit Agricole Regional Banks (CRCAs) linked to the winners' regions. During the PO LAB, the winners benefited from individual sessions with each expert from the CRCAs and Village by CA, on topics such as marketing, human resources, and local financing. In addition, group sessions were organized with the Foundation on the financial structure and strategy of an impact company and the specific nature of fundraising for impact startups. » – Céline Hyon-Naudin, Social Business Investment Officer, Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation

Once the PO LAB is completed, the Foundation continues its entrepreneurial support for the winners by organizing a new training session in Marseille this fall:

Individual sessions on specific themes are planned after the PO LAB with the Foundation, to give the winners time to integrate their technical tests into their entrepreneurial project. We are currently working on these modules and the following issues could be addressed, for example: Which business model should be chosen (NGO, ESUS, SAS)? Which product strategy should be adopted to best meet the identified social and environmental needs? How to organize logistics flows (waste supply, inventory management, distribution of finished products)? » – Céline Hyon-Naudin

The boat is currently moored in Dunkirk, and the Plastic Odyssey teams plan to launch their Mediterranean expedition in late fall 2021. Other PO LAB sessions are planned in countries around the Mediterranean. In Egypt and Morocco, Crédit Agricole Group networks are also mobilized to support this acceleration program. This is a fine example of the Crédit Agricole Group's collective commitment, in line with the Societal Project.

 

Learn more about Crédit Agricole's support with Plastic Odyssey.

 

Newsletter #39: Resumption of activities in the microfinance sector

The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation has published its Newsletter #39, which highlights the great resilience demonstrated by its partners in providing the best possible support to vulnerable populations.

The Foundation has been interested in the effects of the Covid-19 crisis on its partner microfinance institutions (MFIs) and has conducted a series of surveys for over a year in collaboration with ADA And InpulseThe results of these studies are summarized in the report "The impact of the crisis on microfinance institutions. Findings and perspectives." which we invite you to discover in this Newsletter.

While the pandemic has had a significant impact on the activities of microfinance institutions, we are now seeing a gradual return to normal for the majority of them, as evidenced by KOMIDA. A major player in microfinance in Indonesia and a partner of the Foundation since 2004, KOMIDA has managed to continue its activities and development in rural areas with the opening of 10 additional branches in 2021. The institution continues to support its clients by focusing on granting social microcredits.

In the "Words from the Field" section, we present UGAFODE Microfinance Limited, a Ugandan microfinance institution at the forefront of financial inclusion for refugees. Thanks to support from the Foundation, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), UGAFODE opened a branch in the Nakivale refugee camp in March 2020, and the initial results have been very encouraging. The ambition is now to expand the project to other regions.

Finally, you'll discover the testimony of Jean-Baptiste Bounes, Mergers and Acquisitions Manager at SODICA, who carried out the first remote Solidarity Bankers (*) mission with Phare Performing Social Enterprise (PPSE) in Cambodia. Remote and field missions are currently available.

Access the Newsletter

 

(*) Launched by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and Crédit Agricole SA in 2018, Banquiers Solidaires is a skills volunteering program open to all Crédit Agricole Group employees in support of microfinance institutions or impact businesses supported by the Foundation.

Solidarity Bankers: two online missions are available for FATEN (Palestine) and OXUS (Kyrgyzstan)

© Philippe LISSAC (Godong) / GCA Foundation

Solidarity Bankers is a skills volunteering program launched by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and Crédit Agricole SA in 2018 with a dual objective: on the one hand, to support microfinance institutions and social impact businesses financed by the Foundation with technical assistance, and on the other hand, to promote the skills of Group employees who wish to get involved in projects with a strong social impact.

The missions can take place during the Solidarity Banker's working hours (skills sponsorship) AND/OR during holidays (volunteering).

Currently, two online positions are available. The Solidarity Banker will work on this position one day per week for 15 weeks. These durations can be modified based on the preferences of the Solidarity Banker, the beneficiary organization, and the employer.

  • “Financial Management” Mission for FATEN (Palestine)

FATEN is a microfinance institution founded in 1995 by the NGO Save The Children whose mission is to meet the financial service needs of low- and middle-income Palestinian entrepreneurs and individuals. The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation has supported FATEN since 2014 through various loans and technical assistance as part of the Solidarity Bankers missions.

The selected Solidarity Banker will support FATEN in updating financial procedures, policies, and tools. Knowledge of international financial reporting standards, particularly the latest changes to IFRS 16 and IFRS 9, is required. Fluency in English is required, and excellent knowledge of Arabic would be a plus.

For more information, see the mission sheet on ca-solidaires.fr

  • “Digital Strategy” Mission for OXUS (Kyrgyzstan)

OXUS Kyrgyzstan (OKG) is a microfinance institution that provides financial services to the working poor and underbanked in Kyrgyzstan. The institution serves 8,000 active borrowers and manages a portfolio of €6.4 million.

The selected Solidarity Banker will be responsible for supporting OKG in evaluating digitalization processes and developing a new digital strategy. Experience in IT project management, ideally with digitalization projects, is required. Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Russian would be a plus.

For more information, see the mission sheet on ca-solidaires.fr.

To apply: send your CV and cover letter (or 2 paragraphs presenting your motivations and expertise) to:

 

Solidarity Bankers: two field missions are available for Lazika (Georgia) and Smart Credit (Moldova)

Solidarity Bankers is a skills volunteering program launched by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and Crédit Agricole SA in 2018 with a dual objective: on the one hand, to support microfinance institutions and social impact businesses financed by the Foundation with technical assistance, and on the other hand, to promote the skills of Group employees who wish to get involved in projects with a strong social impact.

The missions can take place during the Solidarity Banker's working hours (skills sponsorship) AND/OR during holidays (volunteering).

Currently, two missions are available in the field:

  • “Communication and Marketing” Mission for Lazika (Georgia)

Lazika Capital is a microfinance institution established in 2000 by Oxfam Great Britain in Georgia. Its mission is to facilitate access to financial services tailored to the needs of low- and middle-income entrepreneurs. The institution is now among the leaders in the Georgian microfinance sector and has nearly 14,000 clients.

The selected Solidarity Banker will be tasked with evaluating the organization's marketing initiatives and strategy, as well as developing a marketing plan for late 2021/2022. Strong marketing experience and a good command of English are required. The assignment will last 10 days in the field.

For more information, see the mission sheet on ca-solidaires.fr

  • “Digital Strategy” Mission for Smart Credit (Moldova)

Smart Credit is a microfinance institution founded in 2010 by five local professionals with a shared vision: to provide financial services to socially disadvantaged people and small Moldovan entrepreneurs. The institution has over 3,000 active borrowers and manages a portfolio of €4.4 million.

The selected Solidarity Banker will be responsible for contributing to the development of Smart Crédit's digital strategy. Experience in IT project management and fluency in English are required.

For more information, see the mission sheet on ca-solidaires.fr.

To apply: send your CV and cover letter (or 2 paragraphs presenting your motivations and expertise) to:

 

 

The Foundation publishes its report “The impact of the crisis on microfinance institutions”

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected all economies, particularly impacting fragile economies and the most vulnerable populations.

The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation has focused on the unprecedented effects of this global crisis on microfinance institutions. An initial survey was launched in March 2020 among all our partners to understand how they were adapting to the repercussions of the pandemic, which were already being felt on their activities. By partnering in the months that followed with two other major players in inclusive finance, ADA And Inpulse, we have extended the scope of these studies to more than a hundred institutions present on 4 continents: Africa, South America, Asia and Europe. In total, 6 surveys have been conducted since the inaugural questionnaire in March.

Through this publication you will discover the results of these studies summarized in 3 sections:

Adapt quickly to operational constraints

Surveys conducted throughout 2020 revealed three major challenges: the inability to meet with clients in person, limited repayment collections, and constraints on disbursing new loans. To address these challenges, MFIs acted proactively and appropriately, reflecting the organizations' strong resilience. However, not all were impacted equally. This document traces the evolution of these constraints and the measures implemented to address them.

A significant and lasting financial impact

The operational constraints encountered inevitably had significant financial repercussions. Among them, two major consequences were visible in almost all MFIs: an increase in the portfolio at risk (PAR) and a reduction in outstanding loans. These two phenomena fluctuated throughout the year depending on local contexts, and other financial difficulties may have arisen occasionally. The analysis of performance indicators, detailed in this document, allows us to visualize the lasting impact of the crisis.

Future prospects

In this context, the majority of MFIs have resisted and shown optimism. Among the areas considered for the coming years are a return to portfolio growth as well as the opening up to new products and services, and even new markets, starting in 2021. You will discover throughout the pages other adaptation measures explored by MFIs, demonstrating a reassuring desire for the future of the sector. We must nevertheless remain vigilant in the face of the instability of the current context. This is why we are maintaining our approach of closely monitoring the crisis with our partners in 2021, on a quarterly basis.

 

Download the report

The Foundation grants 7 new loans in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

© Philippe LISSAC (Godong) / GCA Foundation

Since January 2021, the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation has continued its financing in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and has granted seven new loans to its partners.

In Kosovo, the Foundation granted a new loan to the microfinance institution AFK for an amount of 1.5 million euros over a period of three years. The Agency for Finance in Kosovo (AFK) is a microfinance institution whose goal is to improve living conditions in Kosovo by providing access to sustainable financial services to microenterprises and small businesses. AFK aims to encourage the development of rural areas as well as women entrepreneurs and minorities. The institution serves 19,300 active borrowers (22% women and 51% in rural areas) and manages a portfolio of 36 million euros.

In Moldova, the Foundation granted a new loan to the microfinance institution Microinvest for an amount of 1.4 million euros over a period of three years. Microinvest provides microcredit and business start-up assistance to small entrepreneurs in many regions of the Republic of Moldova. 70,% of the loan portfolio corresponds to loans to private entrepreneurs living in rural areas. The institution has nearly 37,000 clients living in rural areas, 41% of whom are women.

In Montenegro, the Foundation granted a loan to the microfinance institution Monte Credit for one million euros over a period of three years. Founded in 2005, Monte Crédit is a microfinance institution whose mission is to empower rural families to create income and jobs, unlocking economic potential so communities can prosper. The institution has more than 4,000 clients, of whom 54% are women and 51% live in rural areas.

In Kyrgyzstan, the Foundation granted a new loan to the microfinance institution OXUS for an amount in local currency equivalent to 800,000 euros. OXUS Kyrgyzstan is a microfinance institution established in 2006 by OXUS Group and ACTED. A responsible company, it is committed to providing financial services to the working poor and underbanked in Kyrgyzstan.To date, the institution has nearly 8,000 clients, including 48% women and 62% clients in rural areas.

In Kazakhstan, the Foundation granted a new loan to the microfinance institution Asian Credit Fund (ACF) for an amount in local currency equivalent to one million euros. ACF is a microfinance institution established in 1997 by the American NGO Mercy Corps. ACF's financial services are designed to promote rural household development, small business growth, and home ownership. ACF adheres to a specialized community lending model that offers tailored financial solutions, business advice, and technical assistance to its clients. To date, the institution has 27,000 clients, including 70% women and 93% clients in rural areas.

Finally, in Tajikistan, the Foundation granted a new loan in local currency equivalent to 1.2 million euros to the microfinance institution HUMOHUMO is a microfinance institution that aims to support vulnerable and underserved populations living in rural areas through financial and advisory services for small businesses. The institution has nearly 73,000 clients, including 37% women and 75% rural clients. Also in Tajikistan, the Foundation also granted a new loan to the microfinance institution. OXUS Tajikistan for an amount in local currency equivalent to one million euros over a period of three years. OXUS Tajikistan primarily targets microentrepreneurs and farmers in rural areas. Its social mission is clear and aims to improve the economic and social conditions of the low-income population who are not served by the banking sector. To date, the institution has more than 14,000 clients, including 36% women and 79% in rural areas.

To learn more, Click here.

AFD and the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation, a historic and promising partnership

Rémy Rioux, Managing Director,
French Development Agency Group

A long-standing partner, the French Development Agency (AFD) has supported the Foundation's activities for over 10 years. Its Director, Rémy Rioux, shares his perspective on the impact of the economic and health crisis generated by the Covid-19 pandemic on the African continent and his assessment of the partnership with the Foundation.

—What do you think were the impact points of the health crisis on the African continent and how did the AFD respond to this crisis? What were your main areas of intervention?

RR: Africa experienced a shock in 2020, which I would like to point out was entirely exogenous and unprecedented. The continent appeared quite resilient in terms of health, but less so in terms of the economy. An unprecedented recession, averaging 2.61 times the previous year, affected more than forty countries simultaneously. Beyond the cyclical impact, the crisis is raising fears of a profound weakening of economies and societies.

The French Development Agency (AFD) group mobilized very quickly to support its partners. On the health front, with a €1.2 billion Health in Common initiative, half of which is in Africa for around fifty projects and nearly €130 million in donations; and on the economic front, with our "Choose Africa" program to support the entrepreneurial network and then strengthen it with a Resilience component, bringing the program to €3.2 billion committed by 2022. Finally, we are supporting, in line with the "Finance in Common" Summit, African public development banks—there are around a hundred on the continent—to make them drivers of sustainable growth.

—What is your assessment of the historic partnership with the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation?

RR: For more than 10 years, the AFD Group has provided the Foundation with portfolio and individual guarantees and financed the African Facility, which allows us to support small institutions for the benefit of disadvantaged populations, particularly in rural areas. Since 2020, the partnership with the Foundation has been managed by Proparco, our subsidiary dedicated to the private sector. Beyond the financial partnership, we appreciate the quality of the relationship between our two institutions, marked by trust and transparency. The essential nature of supporting the microfinance sector has been reinforced by the Covid-19 crisis, and working with the Foundation constitutes a solid lever for strengthening the sector.

—Can a large institution like yours and an agile player like the Foundation still invent new ways of acting, and in what priority areas?

RR: It is the complementarity of our two institutions and their modes of intervention that make the partnership strong and relevant in serving several priority areas of intervention, namely: support for the development of microinsurance, particularly agricultural microinsurance; support for microfinance institutions in improving social performance management; development of the digital offering of the microfinance sector; and green microfinance. The context of the crisis has reinforced the relevance of these areas of intervention.