Dar es Salaam, 9/05/2012:
Members of Tanzania Institute of Microfinance Institutions (TAMFI)
have been urged to carry out lending business in the most transparent
manner as it will help boost their ventures drastically.
Addressing TAMFI members in Dar es Salaam, Ms Audrey Linthorst, Lead
Africa Analyst of Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) based in
Washington DC said sharing information with peers, clients,
shareholders, and potential investors was paramount for the
development of the sector.
“There are many benefits for Micro finance Institutions that are
carrying out their duties in a more transparent manner for clients,
stakeholders, and public at large. It builds trust and credibility.
It’s one of the best ways to attract investors,” she said.
She urged TAMFI members to upload their profiles and reports in MIX
portal as one way of promoting transparency.
She said MIX was committed to strengthening financial inclusion and
the microfinance sector by promoting transparency.
“We provide information on microfinance institutions, funders,
networks, and service providers dedicated to serving the financial
sector needs for low-income clients.
She urged TAMFI members to join MIX by registering at the body’s
portal so as to put themselves at the global watch of the industry.
By joining MIX, micro finance institutions are required to make public
their profiles, number of borrowers, number of clients per each loan
officer, the duration for repayment, profits on returns, risks and so
on, she said.
Ms Linthorst lamented that Africa micro finance institutions were
lagging behind in providing information when compared to other
continents. In Tanzania only 14 institutions are providing information
to MIX and yet, there are hundreds of such institutions in the
country.
She said that there were no qualifications for an institution to
qualify in having its performance data published so long as it is a
microfinance institution and there are no levies charged.
Ms Winnie Terry, TAMFI Executive Secretary said her organisation has
been advocating for best practise among members including
transparency.
“We adopted a code of conduct last year and our members are providing
borrowers with all the information they need before they take a loan,”
she said, adding it was a big step on micro finance institutions
becoming transparent in Tanzania.
TAMFI is the umbrella organization for about 51 Microfinance
organizations working in Tanzania.
TAMFI works to strengthen Tanzania’s microfinance sector by promoting
cooperation and collaboration among its member organizations,
providing training, conducting research, and lobbying the government
of Tanzania, she said.
Mr Amulike Ngeliama, Chairman of Mtoni Lutheran Church Saccos Limited
said it was true greater transparency and accountability was needed in
the micro-finance sector.
“I am convinced MIX can increase the visibility of our institutions
at both country and world level,” he said.
Providing data to such a platform would expose institutions to more
investors, which at the end of the day minimises risks.
MIX is funded by some the world’s renowned financial? ( not all are
financial) institutions like Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, CGAP,
Omidyar Network, The MasterCard Foundation, IFAD, Michael & Susan Dell
Foundation, Citi Foundation, Ford Foundation and Deutsche Bank.
Currently, MIX has over 2,500 institutions that give it the required
and dozens of other stakeholders consume the information in one way or
another including others that are looking for areas institutions to
invest in.
—————————————–
Tanzania Association of Microfinance Institutions (TAMFI)
Contact Person: Winnie Terry, TAMFI Executive Secretary
Email: info@tamfi.com
Website: www.tamfi.com