This briefing was an excellent opportunity to learn about current best practice in microfinance and to understand the potential of microfinance from an investment perspective.

Oikocredit is a world leader in terms of fully private capital financing of the microfinance sector.

During the first nine months of this year, Oikocredit approved a record amount of 53 million euros in financing to the microfinance sector, thus bringing the total Oikocredit committed microfinance portfolio to 135 million euros with 205 Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in 47 countries.

An international development cooperative, Oikocredit has 30 years of experience in making credit accessible to the economically poor through investments of churches, individuals and enterprises. Loans have proven to be a powerful instrument to bring about economic self-reliance and thus structural improvements to the livelihood of poor people, as well as lead to enhanced self-esteem of the borrower. Oikocredit financing enables NGOs, cooperative banks and other MFIs to serve hundreds of thousands of economically poor with microloans to create their own jobs and income.

Director Membership and Investments
Oikocredit

Ben Simmes, Oikocredit's Director Membership and Investments, is responsible for the fostering and maintenance of contacts with investors in Oikocredit. He has been with Oikocredit for almost 10 years and has been actively involved in the financing of microfinance institutes worldwide. Ben has introduced Oikocredit, explained their approach and experience with microfinance, and also talked about increasing Oikocredit representation in Asia and opportunities to get involved.
bsimmes@oikocredit.org.

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