Microfinance Insights Launches Africa Issue in Nairobi
Volume 9 – The African Landscape: Ripe for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Investment

November 19, 2008

In conjunction with the release of the November/December 2008 issue, “The African Landscape: Ripe for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Investment,” Microfinance Insights hosted a one-day panel event, discussing the future of microfinance in Africa, within the context of entrepreneurship, regulation, and technology, in Nairobi, Kenya.

Speakers included Ingrid Munro, Founder of Jamii Bora, Kamal Bhuddabhatti, CEO of Craft Silicon, Morne Reinders, Investor Manager of South-Africa based Blue Financial Services, Pauline A. Nsa, Managing Director, First Bank Nigeria. The session was moderated by Vineet Rai, Managing Partner, Aavishkaar Goodwell Microfinance Development Co.

The Panel Discussion was followed by the launch of the Nov/Dec 2008 issue of Microfinance Insights – “The African Landscape: Ripe for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Investment.” The issue carries articles on a wide range of topics on microfinance in Africa with the lead piece being an overview of the sector by Women’s World Banking, a commentary by Wagane Diouf, the Managing Director of Mecene Investment, and interviews with James Mwangi, CEO of Equity Bank, and Ingrid Munro, Founder of Jamii Bora.

Craft Silicon was the Lead Sponsor for the event and Blue Financial one of the Associate Sponsors. The event was also being supported by Unitus, the leading global non-profit organization that works to reduce global poverty by enabling access to microfinance services. Unitus, which works with partner-MFIs across the globe, has recently opened an office in Nairobi, Kenya. Microfinance Gateway was the Outreach Partner for the event.