Who We Are

The Microfinance Association is a professional body dedicated to strengthening financial inclusion through capacity building, advisory services, investment facilitation and knowledge sharing. Established in the United Kingdom, the Association works with practitioners, financial institutions, governments, development agencies and investors across emerging markets.

Our Vision

A world where inclusive financial systems create opportunity, resilience and prosperity for all.

Our Mission

To strengthen institutions and professionals serving low-income communities through knowledge, innovation, partnerships and access to finance.

Our Values

Excellence

Delivering practical and measurable solutions.

Integrity

Maintaining the highest professional standards.

Collaboration

Building strong partnerships for impact.

Innovation

Promoting new approaches to financial inclusion.

Sustainability

Supporting long-term institutional growth.

Our Global Reach

We work across Africa, Asia and the Middle East through training,
projects and strategic partnerships.

Core values

The principles that guide our work

Service Excellence

Leadership

Representation

Integrity

Professionalism

Respect

What we do

A centre of professional excellence

The Microfinance Association is a UK-registered non-profit professional membership organisation dedicated to the development and promotion of the microfinance sector.

It acts as a centre of professional excellence and an international focal point for ideas, professional knowledge and information. The Association works internationally and welcomes practitioners from across the world.

Practitioners welcomed from

EuropeSub-Saharan AfricaThe Far EastLatin AmericaAsiaNorth AmericaThe Middle East

Activities & programmes

Main Areas of Activity

Training & Professional Development

Training for microfinance institutions and regulators, including international and customised programmes.

Strategy & Microfinance Consulting

Strategic inclusive-finance consulting for institutions and donor agencies.

Financial Linkage Services

Connecting savings-led groups with formal financial services and more accessible financial solutions.

Microfinance Asia

Capacity-building initiatives developed for the Asian microfinance sector.

Executive Search & Selection

Support in identifying highly qualified professionals.

Digital Finance Practice

Training and support around digital finance.

Policy & Regulatory Design

Support for Central Banks and regulatory authorities in developing appropriate policies.

Microfinance Youth Programme

Adaptable programmes designed to support young people.

Microfinance Finance Apprentice Programme

Programmes designed for professionals entering inclusive finance and microfinance.

Investors Matching Services

Connecting international investors with microfinance institutions.

Our work

Examples of the Association's work

Professional Certification

The Association developed its Professional Certificate Programme in collaboration with Guglielmo Marconi University. More than 500 students have undertaken the programme since its launch.

National Certification

The Association developed and trained more than 700 professionals in Cameroon for the delivery of a national certification course for microfinance practitioners.

USAID / US-Pakistan Partnership for Access to Credit

Work included market assessment, development of innovative financial products, market penetration strategy, training, pilot assessment and launch planning.

Customer Insight & Market Intelligence

Work with FINCA Microfinance Bank included customer research, product development frameworks, customer feedback, area research and market intelligence.

Acceleration Programme

An acceleration programme was delivered to the microfinance department of Ecobank in Lagos covering the changing face of microfinance, product development, financial analysis and risk management.

Projects

Projects we have delivered

National Certification Programme in Microfinance

A national certification course developed for microfinance practitioners.

Acceleration Programme — Ecobank Nigeria

Delivered to the microfinance department in Lagos.

Annual Training Programme in the UK

A recurring international training programme.

Asia Institute of Finance training programme

A training programme delivered for the institute.

Online Microcredit Training platform

An online platform focused on social performance.

Belize Rural Finance Training Programme

Training designed for the rural finance sector.

Development Ratings Programme

More than 150 institutions rated over three years.

Training for Microfinance Regulators in Nigeria

Training designed for regulatory professionals.

Academic Advisory Board

The Academic Advisory Board supports the academic quality and standards of the Association’s professional programmes. Current members and their profiles are maintained in the Association’s official records.

Board member names and profiles are published here directly from The Microfinance Association’s official content, so that no listing is added or altered.

Our clients

We have trained staff from institutions around the world

Bank of Ghana

Central Bank of Nigeria

HM Treasury

World Bank

International Finance Corporation

International Labour Organisation

Bank of Industry

Equity Bank

FINCA Afghanistan

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund

Opportunity International

Symbiotics Investment Fund

BlueOrchard

Central Bank of Liberia

Central Bank of Sierra Leone

This list is not exhaustive.

Resources integrated into your operations

Available to

Key features

Be Part of the Microfinance Community

Connect with The Microfinance Association to learn more about membership, professional
development and opportunities to engage with the organisation.