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NEWS LETTER2009 Third Quarter Newsletter

ExEcuTivE DiREcToR LETTER

In May 2009, and in affiliation with the Sanabel Sixth Annual Conference which was held in Beirut, Lebanon) Sanabel launched its first Needs Assessment Survey. The survey was conducted to collect some in-depth feedback from members on the network’s existing services and programs (over and above feedback from the Membership Satisfaction Survey). Specifically, this survey was intended to gauge members’ perception of Sanabel, their satisfaction with the services it actually provides, and their expectations and/ or recommendations as to how the network should evolve. The survey shall be used as a monitoring tool by the network that assists Sanabel in planning and making strategic decisions to ultimately better serve members.

The Survey was conducted by 3 independent consultants from the region and was targeting the Executive Directors of member MFIs (or any senior level representatives on their behalf). The participation level in the Needs Assessment Survey was moderate at 40 members (60% of members at the time). The survey results reflect responses of MFI members from Egypt (10), Palestine (8), Morocco (6), Jordan (5), Lebanon (4), Yemen (4), Iraq (2), and Sudan (1).

The box below highlights some of the feedback from members by program area.

Membership:Revise existing membership criteria to accommodate the differences between large MFIs, banks, •and small MFIs.

Communications:Include more information and publications on the website from the Maghreb region (and add a •French page on the website). Increase communications with members throughout the year and not to reply only on web-based •communication means.

Arabic Microfinance Gateway:Redesign some of the important pages on the AMFG to respond to all user needs.• Upload Financial Tools such as cash flow and break even analysis.• Submit more information about human capital and social responsibility.•

Training & Capacity Building :Conduct trainings more frequently and in all local languages (including French).•Provide alternative methods of payment methods for training and membership fees (which are •currently conducted only through bank transfer).Set certification training cycles which will allow for career development for MFI personnel.•

Social Performance Management:Publish a roster and data base of SPM consultants and trainers that MFIs can tap on as needed; •Develop a standardized set of performance indicators to further standardize the collection, analysis, •reporting, and benchmarking of the SP of MFIs on the regional level.

NEWS LETTER2009 Third Quarter

Transparency & Research:

Increase the frequency of data collection in the region.•Increase the data and information being collected for better analysis (i.e. interest rates, products, •client retention rate, collaterals, outreach and GLP breakdowns based on gender, geographic areas, and product classifications, social performance indicators, etc).More analysis on national/country level.•

WEbSiTE

Sanabel is currently undertaking a project to revamp its website. The main purpose of the Sanabel website has always been to raise awareness on the microfinance industry among microfinance stakeholders, both within the region and beyond, including practitioners, donors, investors, and regulators. More specifically, the website is intended to be an interactive portal that serves as a platform for information exchange on the latest developments in the microfinance industry in the region, best practices and standards, key events, and opportunities and prospects within the Arab region.

This project aims to improve both the content and design of the existing website as a means of addressing membership needs as identified in the most recently conducted Needs Assessment. More specifically, we are looking to improve the look and feel of the website so that it’s both attractive and user-friendly, provide some advanced functionalities including graphical representation of data and information, and enable simple backend content management.

Sanabel has already contacted a web vendor to undertake this revitalization project of Sanabel’s existing website in Arabic, English, and French (another important new addition in response to member needs). A key aspect of the website will be the new content (including text, images, tables and graphs, videos, PDFs, forms, and other downloads) which will be a work in progress.

We would like to encourage all Sanabel members, partners, and donors to send us their ideas, suggestions, and recommendations as well as some meaningful phrases on what Sanabel means to you. Please send your remarks to Lamiaa Said at: [email protected].


capaciTy buiLDiNg & TRaiNiNg NEWS

Staffing

A new Training Manager, Howida Fahmi, has been hired in September 2009. Howida brings diversified experience from the capacity building in Egypt and has worked on various projects with International and local organizations such as USAID and Save the Children. You can contact Howida on: [email protected].

Training Department New Direction

The Training Manager together with the Training Coordinator are currently putting together a training strategy and direction for the department, taking into consideration the proposed training strategy drafted by consultant Nina Nayar (recommended by SEEP network). The new Training and Capacity Building direction tackles issues such as: certification procedures, training costs, trainer’s selection, etc. If you have any ideas or concerns that would like to have addressed in the new strategy, please contact the Training Manager at [email protected]. The new direction will be implemented and communicated to members once approved by the Sanabel Board of Directors.

Upcoming Course Offerings

Sanabel is currently working on editing and updating the Sanabel/CGAP courses. The Financial Analysis course has been updated and edited and will be held as a TOT in Amman, Jordan in Arabic from October 31st till November 5th, 2009. The course will be given by Bassem Khanfar. It will be held at the premises of National Microfinance Bank (Watani) for six days. This training is sponsored by AGFUND and the National Microfinance Bank (Watani).For more information about the course, please visit our website: www.sanabelnetwork.org.

Training Schedule

The Training & Capacity Building Department is drafting the Training Schedule for 2010, taking into consideration the needs assessment conducted through Sanabel Sixth Annual Conference as well as previous needs assessment reports. New curriculum and materials will be offered in 2010. This plan is expected to be completed by the end of November 2009, and will be posted on Sanabel website.

SociaL pERfoRmaNcE maNagEmENT pRojEcT NEWS

SPM Phase II Project

Sanabel’s Social Performance Management Department is happy to announce that Oxfam Novib has approved the proposal for the phase II SPM project that was submitted late June. As agreed upon with Oxfam Novib, the execution of the project should start in October 2009. As soon as the final agenda and timetable are complete, Sanabel will be sending an invitation letter to all member MFIs informing them about the project and its details.


Lessons Learned from Phase I Project

A compiled «Lessons Learned» report on Sanabel’s first SPM project was also finalized during the last month and is posted in Arabic, English and French on Sanabel website,http://www.sanabelnetwork.org/en/mf_publications, and will be sent to Sanabel members in hard copy very soon.

Campaign for Client Protection

In order for the Arab region to be at the forefront of the global Campaign for Client Protection in Microfinance, which was initiated by Accion International’s Center for Financial Inclusion. During the latest General Assembly meeting, Sanabel members unanimously agreed to endorse the six principles of the campaign, since then, Sanabel has officially endorsed the Campaign through signing on the campaign’s website. Sanabel has sent a letter to all its members encouraging them to take this step as well and endorse individually the campaign. For those MFIs that have not endorsed the campaign yet, the SPM department would like to highly encourage you to do so by visiting: http://www.thesmartcampaign.org

Sanabel is currently represented by its Executive Director Ms. Ranya Abdel Baki on the Campaign’s Steering Committee which holds monthly conference calls with the Campaign staff to come up with strategic advice and counseling. Sanabel has also taken the initiative to translate some of the materials and questionnaires developed by the Campaign’s Beyond Codes research project into Arabic in order to send it out to Sanabel members and thus incorporate Arab MFIs into the research project of the Campaign.

SPM Documents

In addition to that, new SPM related documents that were in the translation process during the last phase are now online and can be found on the Arabic Microfinance Gateway:

Putting the <social> into Performance Management: State of Practice,- http://www.arabic.microfinancegateway.org/content/article/detail/26073

Putting the <social> into Performance Management: A practice-based guide for Microfinance,- http://www.arabic.microfinancegateway.org/content/article/detail/26074

Social Performance Management in Microfinance – Guidelines, - http://www.arabic.microfinancegateway.org/content/article/detail/26075

Social Performance Standards Report:

The idea of translating MIX’s Social Performance Standards report into Arabic and sending it via e-mail to all Sanabel members has definitely helped increase the number of Arab MFIs completing the report. Sanabel is proud to announce that 20 Arab MFIs (37% of full members and 29% of total membership) have completed the report and as such shall receive the Social Performance Reporting Award which is sponsored by CGAP, Michael & Susan DELL Foundation and Ford Foundation and powered by MIX.

MIX will be distributing the awards during the upcoming SEEP Conference which will take place from November 2nd – 6th 2009 at Sheraton National Hotel, Arlington, VA 22204 USA (Washington Metropolitan area).


The following is a list of Arab MFIs who have completed the SPS report:

MFI Country Award

1 ABA Egypt silver certificate

2 DBACD Egypt silver certificate

3 ACSI Iraq silver certificate

4 Al Thiqa Iraq silver certificate

5 AMC Jordan silver certificate

6 DEF Jordan silver certificate

7 MFW Jordan silver certificate

8 Tamweelcom Jordan silver certificate

9 Al Majmoua Lebanon silver certificate

10 Makhzoumi Foundation Lebanon silver certificate

11 Amos Morocco silver certificate

12 AMSSF/MC Morocco /

13 FBPMC Morocco silver certificate

14 INMAA Morocco /

15 Faten Palestine silver certificate

16 Ryada Palestine /

17 UNRWA Palestine gold certificate

18 Enda Tunisia silver certificate

19 Aden Yemen silver certificate

20 Al Amal Bank Yemen silver certificate

aRabic micRofiNaNcE gaTEWay NEWSCGAP technical team and Sanabel are currently in the process of creating the back-end functions and the site database for the new platform. The new site will include new sections and functions, improved search engine and new navigation system.

Meanwhile, the AMFG has continued in the 3rd quarter of 2009 to feature and present the most updated information about the microfinance industry in Arabic. The library section has increased by (24) documents bringing the total documents to 371 documents, seven new job vacancies were added, 23 events were posted, and 11 consultants ’CVs were featured. The AMFG site has been visited by 12,000 in Q3 2009 unique visitors with total downloads of 22,911 pages.

For any queries or suggestions regarding the AMFG, please contact: [email protected].

TRaNSpaRENcy & RESEaRch NEWS

The Transparency and Research department has finalized the data collection process for FY 2008 which will be released in the early part of the 4th quarter of 2009 through the Arab Benchmarking Report. The data collected will also feed automatically in the MFIs’ respective MIX market profiles. Sanabel succeeded in collecting and standardizing data from 54 Arab MFIs for the FY 2008 data collection process, including, 14 MFIs from Egypt, 9 from Morocco, 8 from Palestine, 7 from Jordan, 6 from Yemen, 3 from Lebanon, 2 from Syria, 2 from Iraq, 2 from Sudan, and 1 MFI from Tunisia.


We would like to thank all MFIs that have participated in the data collection process for this year for their commitment to transparency which enables the benchmarking and analysis of Arab MFIs’ performance compared to their global peers.

We’re also delighted to release for the first time quarterly performance data for Q1 and Q2 FY 2009. This initiative to start collecting and releasing quarterly has been driven by members’ requests and needs for more updated information on the region. We would like to thank all the MFIs who responded to the quarterly short questionnaire for the effort and time spent in that. We highly encourage all other MFIs from the region to support Sanabel’s efforts in increasing the frequency of data available in the region by disclosing their numbers on a quarterly basis as well. To do so, you can simply email your most updated data to Shaimaa Zain at: [email protected].

MFI

First Quarter 2009 Second Quarter 2009

Number of Active Borrowers

% of active Female borrowers

Gross loan Portfolio (USD)

portofolio at risk > 30 days

Number of Active Borrwers

% of active Female borrowers

Gross loan Portfolio (USD)

portofolio at risk > 30 days

FBPMC 161,386 52% 116,726,432 2.996% 154,860 51% 124,684,348 3.709%

Lead 156,787 85% 17,637,731 0.280% 160,711 85% 18,729,131 0.410%

Enda 103,780 76% 34,369,474 0.660% 111,445 76% 38,418,018 0.810%

DBACD 98,705 58% 21,450,283 0.19% 99,676 57% 22,794,008 0.14%

Tamweelcom 39,259 96% 13,689,925 0.833% 39,578 96% 12,761,855 1.207%

MFW 39,171 96% 15,425,255 1.633% 41,323 96% 16,257,918 1.330%

CEOSS 34,065 68% 5,345,220 0.100% 35,903 68% 5,967,950 0.100%

SBACD 30,048 65% 5,592,201 1.007% 30,628 65% 5,680,376 0.881%

Al Watani 22,314 86% 16,292,014 3.800% 23,208 88% 16,118,961 3.850%

Ameen 11,832 24% 11,619,066 1.442% 12,249 24% 12,530,652 1.628%

Finca 9,099 98% 2,509,559 0.000% 8,246 98% 2,511,259 0.008%

Jabbal Al Hoss 5,637 22% 1,494,883 4.400% 5,458 21% 1,291,993 4.800%

Al Bashaer Iraq 2,740 NA 2,703,866 2.912% 3,363 NA 3,543,905 2.496%

Talafar Iraq 713 8% 999,400 0.160% 981 15% 1,522,225 0.085%

715,536 265,855,308 727,629 282,812,600

*Being a September closer, Ameen’s Q1 represents the period from Oct. 08 – Dec. 09 while Q2 represents the period from Jan 09 – March 09.

mEmbERShip NEWS

- In early July, Sanabel conducted its third “Citi-NSP Membership Satisfaction Survey” with the assistance of the SEEP Network. This time, 36% of Sanabel members responded to the survey which is 16% more members than the second survey conducted in December 2008. We do encourage all our members to participate in the upcoming surveys in order to ensure that the results are an accurate reflection of our performance. The next survey will be sent out in late December/early January.

A Comparative Report had been produced in order to outline the trends of member responses over time to the same survey questions. The report shows that there are many improvements in Sanabel’s services and activities in different areas over the past semester of 2009 while few areas decreased over the same period comparing to 2008 results.


Areas of improvements:

The importance and frequency of the Sanabel Annual conference to members;•

Members’ communications and interaction with Sanabel through submission of financial and •

outreach data as well as any other information required by the network;

The Arabic Microfinance Gateway website content and number of visitors. •

Areas of Deterioration:

Training Programs•

Participation in GA meetings •

Sanabel shall be working hard over the next period to improve its performance in the areas of deterioration as highlighted by the members to a level that everyone would be satisfied with.

Figure 1: Network Services Quality & Value to Members

- Sanabel would like to announce and welcome “Al-Takadum Microfinance Loans Organization” and “Izdiharona for Economic Development” as new affiliate members from Iraq to reach 73 members in the third quarter of 2009.

Al-Takadum Microfinance Loans Organization (Iraq - Affiliate Member)

Al-Takadum (progress) is a nongovernmental organization created in 2007 in Iraq, Anbar province. The organization works to support micro-economic projects in the city of Ramadi, which helps create new jobs and reduce unemployment.

Al-Takadum aims to: achieve operational sustainability over the next three years, access to diversified funding sources, reduce dependence on external funding, and establish new branches in nearby Ramadi. The organization works to effectively serve more than 5,000 clients by the end of the next three years.

Izdiharona for Economic Development, (Iraq - Affiliate Member)

Izdiharona is a non-profit lending program that focuses on providing small and micro loans to individuals and groups who are not able to access bank credit. Izdiharona’s mission is to help male and female – either as in-dividuals or in groups start, strengthen and expand their businesses, increase their income and improve their quality of life, as well as to contribute to the growth of Iraq’s economy.


Izdiharona’s goal is to provide financial services that address the demand and need for broader access to credit. Business Loans, Home Improvement Loans and Agriculture/Agribusiness loans are the main products that Izdiharona provides. Izdiharona’s loans range from $500 to $25,000.

SaNabEL mEmbERS NEWSLaunch of the first international subsidiary of Bab Risk Jamil in Egypt

As part of the continuing process of providing employment opportunities initiated by Bab Risk Jamil - the project affiliated to the Abdul-Latif Jameel Program for Community Services in Saudi Arabia, the first BRJ international subsidiary was established last month in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt, following the formal approval of the Department of Social Security to start BRJ operations in the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The director general of the first BRJ international branch, Maaz Faramawi, said that the creation of the first subsidiary in Egypt aims to provide employment opportunities through a variety of programs such as ownership of taxis or transport vehicles, direct recruitment, small enterprises, or other areas that help create jobs. He added that the subsidiary has so far succeeded in providing 221 jobs through the microcredit program, noting that more than 980 jobs are being prepared in the same area, and stating that all procedures are carried out under Islamic law. Faramawi also noted that the first subsidiary’s team comprises six people, while the annual plan for 2009 is to provide about 4,000 jobs in various areas and programs, adding that the center is the first of its kind in Egypt providing employment opportunities.

Victory and New World tribute to Small and Crafts Facilities Development project

The Small and Crafts Facilities Development project of Alexandria Businessmen Association has won the Silver Award for social performance. The award will be presented at the SEEP Conference in the United States in November 2009. It is granted through the Mix Market for information exchange and dedicated to institutions that have demonstrated interest and transparency in their social performance reporting.

This triumph confirms the pioneering position of the project and its major developmental role both socially and financially. Since its launch in 1990, the project has paid special attention to promoting its clients on economic, social and health levels. It has also continuously expanded its loan programs to meet all its clients’ needs, the number of loan programs has thus reached four development programs, namely: Small and Crafts Facilities loan program, Bashayer El Kheir (good tidings) specially designed for breadwinner women, Tarik Al Tanmia (road of development) , and Kheir (welfare) for those who work. Also under the project, the Training Center of the Middle East was inaugurated in 2007 to provide technical services to its clients, acting as an extension of the Client Service Center opened in 1997. In a gesture worthy of recognition, the project also brought all its clients under the insurance umbrella whereby the client’s debt is repaid in case of chronic ill-ness, accident or death, in addition to compensation payment, through the Social Solidarity Fund established by the project.


New partnership agreement between Ameen s.a.l. and IESC

Ameen s.a.l. signed on Monday July 13, 2009, a partnership agreement with International Executive Services Corps (IESC) ensuring the provision of financial services to qualified borrowers in order to establish new busi-nesses as well as expand/sustain existing businesses in rural and peri-urban areas of Lebanon.

Funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA) in collaboration with IESC launched the Lebanon Investment in Microfinance program (LIM).

Under the LIM Program, Ameen s.a.l. has been granted US$ 400,000 to disburse loans for start-ups and existing micro-enterprises operating in Agribusiness, ICT, and tourism sectors.

The goal of this program is to improve productivity, increase sales income, and create job opportunities for small and medium size businesses through increased access to finance and training.

LIM program assists challenged groups including women and youth in operating their businesses and access-ing new job opportunities.

The program launching event took place at Ameen s.a.l. offices in the presence of Mrs. Denise Herbol, Mis-sion Director of USAID Lebanon, and key board/management representatives of the aforementioned organi-zations.

AMSSF / MC supports Campaign for Client Protection

Since June 1, 2009, the AMSSF/MC has a charter to protect the clients that mainly stipulates the following:

Eviction of imprudent lending •

Transparency vis-à-vis our client (s) •

Fair recovery practice•

Active listening to our client (s) •

Staff ethical behavior •

Strengthening our clients’ empowerment (strengthening the decision-making power) •

All staff have joined and ratified the charter.

Dakahleya Businessmen’s Association for Community Development (DBACD) Signs New Financing Agreements

Dakahleya Businessmen’s Association for Community Development (DBACD) has signed financing agreements in local currency (Egyptian pound) loans / guarantees, in order to fund the loan programs of the association and cover the cash flow of its 2009-2011 strategic plan so as to meet the growth and financial needs of the small and crafts facilities development project, which helped boost economic growth of the local community. The agreements have been signed with:

1. USAID, a letter of guarantee amounting to 2.5 million dollars in Egyptian pounds, with up to six years for loan settlement as of the agreement signature.

2. The European Investment Bank, equivalent to 2 million Egyptian pounds, with up to five years for loan settlement as of the agreement signature.


Establishment of a Credit Center between Development & Employment Fund and Rihab Cooperative in Mafraq

An agreement for financing a credit center in the north territory of the Kingdom of Jordan was signed Monday, August 31, 2009 between the Development & Employment Fund and Rihab Cooperative in Mafraq province, as part of the financing agreement signed with the Fund for employment, training, vocational and technical learning, whereby the Cooperative receives the sum of 50 000 dinars to be sub-loaned to finance productive projects and activities to the region’s inhabitants with loans ranging from 200 to 1,000 dinars per person.

Thus, the Fund would have opened the door to charities and cooperatives, which will be able to finance micro-projects, in addition to funding various domestic economic activities in order to activate the developmental role of civil society institutions within the local communities.

Enda Inter Arabe to test Microfinance e-learning for loan officers by Grameen-Jameel

In view to improve the skills of its field personnel and optimize the training cost, Enda plans to test the microfinance-applied e-learning program developed by Grameen Jameel. To this end, Mr. Jameel Wahidi and Mr. Christophe Chabaud from Grameen-Jameel visited Enda-ia on June 26 to tackle the different features and advantages of the online learning program.

FINCA Jordan sets off FCAT 2009

FINCA Jordan sets off its 2009 FINCA Client Assessment Tool (FCAT). The FCAT provides detailed description of clients’ demographic and socio – economic status, and their access, utilization and perception of financial services. FINCA implements the FCAT in many countries and intends to follow the clients interviewed over time and compare the evolution of indicators across the entire FINCA network.

Makhzoumi Foundation/ Awareness Program received the UNDP Award

Makhzoumi Foundation/ Awareness Program received the UNDP Award Within the context of the Training of Trainers for NGO members on Peace Building and Conflict Prevention Methodologies and the follow-up training on Proposal Writing. The award constitutes funding the implementation of the activities stated in the submitted proposals which were selected because they were able to infuse peace building and conflict prevention methodologies learned at the respective workshops into the NGO’s activities, institutional planning and frameworks.

The Makhzoumi Foundation Activity is conducting a contest on writing “Peace lyrics/songs” on the concept of peace building and conflict prevention whereby the winning lyric/song will be recorded and distributed.


Microfund for Women News & Activities in Q3 of 2009

Microfund for Women has broadened the spectrum of its non-financial services offered to its clients through a variety of activities, including free training, which contributes greatly to raise their level of competence and experience and thus develop their project. Among the most important activities provided during the third quarter: a training entitled “Basic skills in managing micro-projects” in collaboration with the Association of Young Entrepreneurs, which was attended by twenty-six female clients of the Fund.

In collaboration with Jordan Food & drug Association, the Fund has also organized a training session under the title “Enhancing women’s awareness in the local community about food hygienic practice”. Such training sessions are designed to promote the women’s role and enhance their capabilities, which will be reflected positively on their project and therefore their lives and their families’ in general.

Tamweelcom received a certificate of appreciation for its nomination of European Microfinance Network Award

Tamweelcom has been nominated for the international Award “Giordano Dell’Amore” Microfinance Best Practices Award; the award in its first version is aimed at encouraging microfinance institutions worldwide to be innovative and to provide various services to help micro-entrepreneurs and low income people with all means possible.

Tamweelcom received a certificate of appreciation in the annual European Microfinance Network conference that was held in Milan, Italy under the title “innovation and sustainability in the microfinance sector in the world “in co-operation with European Microfinance Network.” Tamweelcom is one of five institutions nominated from among 42 institutions that had applied for the award through a committee made of different countries to select the winner and the nominees. The five nominees come from Salvador, Ecuador, Argentine, Kenya and Jordan.

UNRWA Microfinance Department, a notable progress toward industry development

The third quarter of the year was rich in progress in UNRWA-MD, with respect to benchmarking its social performance through the MIX, undertaking its second financial rating exercise carried out by PlaNet Rating on its 2008 financials and participating in important new collaboration and cooperation in Palestine in cooperation with the Palestinian Monetary Authority to develop the microfinance sector there. During this period, the department has been granted the MIX Golden Category award – for Social Performance which will be presented at the SEEP conference Virginia, USA.

The MD has been engaged in developing SPM targets to ensure that it is fully institutionalized with a socially oriented performance management culture. During the same period, MD has undertaken a second rating exercise done by Planet Rating through utilizing the GIRAFE methodology. The first rating covered the financial year of 2005 whereby the MD was awarded a “C” grade. The second rating exercise was undertaken during August 2009 covering MD financial year of 2008, when it received a rating of “C++”.


As part of its continuous endeavor to develop an efficient microfinance industry, the MD has successfully been incorporated as a microfinance participant in the Palestinian Credit Bureau of the Palestinian Monetary Authority. Through this connection, together with all the commercial banks in Palestine, the MD is now able to reduce credit risk through investigating the financial obligation and credit history of clients seeking different financial services. At the same time, the MD has successfully fed the Palestinian Credit Bureau with credit history of its historical, active and new clients benefiting from different financial services. Mutually, the MD will be providing the PMA with periodic statistics and financial data relating to its different products.

UNRWA-MD is the first MFI in Palestine to be incorporated in this new initiative which is enabling the institution to reduce the risk of lending through online investigation into the credit history of clients and prospective clients. The Palestinian Monetary Authority is to be congratulated as the first regulator in the MENA region to incorporate the microfinance sector into the national credit bureau.

DiD u kNoW ThaT......?1

The Median age for the Arab MFI in 2008 was only 9.75 years.•

Around 95% of the institutions working in Microfinance in the region are NGOs.•

More than 70% of the borrowers in 2008 in the Arab region were served by only 15 Arab MFIs.•

In 2008, as self-reported by MFIs, approximately 60% of the borrowers in the Arab Region were living •below the poverty line.

The average loan balance in the Arab region in 2008 was USD 475.•

In 2008, around 47% of the Arab region’s GLP was managed by Moroccan MFIs , followed by a 22% •managed by Egyptian MFIs.

In 2008, PAR > 30 days in Morocco jumped from less than 1% to 3%.•

According to CGAP’s • “Who is Funding Microfinance? Results of the First Global Survey of Funders”, Microfinance Portfolio, November 2008: The source of 51% of the funding in the Arab is donors and the remaining 49% is provided by investors for 2007.

According to CGAP’s • “Who is Funding Microfinance? Results of the First Global Survey of Funders”, Microfinance Portfolio, November 2008: Morocco is biggest recipient of funds in the region having received more than USD 300,000,000 of funds followed by Egypt with more than USD 100,000,000 of funds received in 2007.

aNNouNcEmENTS2009 SEEP Network Annual Conference “Powering Connections ‘09” 1. Arlington, VA - United States 02 Nov - 06 Nov 2009

The SEEP Network is organizing its 2009 SEEP Network Annual Conference. This microenterprise practitioner event aims to engage discussions on new learning in innovative practices and current topics in the field, and provides a critical forum where those working in microenterprise development can come together. The pre-conference full and half-day sessions will be dedicated to practitioner hands-on training sessions. Topics will include:

Results management and M&E for enterprise development programs;•

SEEP FRAME Tool Training (2 days);•

1 Unless otherwise stated, all data in this section is based on Sanabel’s 2008 Annual Industry Survey.


Beyond good intentions: designing products that meet the livelihood needs of very poor households •and delivery mechanisms that reach them;

Campaign for client protection;•

Value chain finance;•

Human capital management;•

Network strengthening.•

To register: http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=747772

Full information is available on: http://seepnetwork.org/Pages/conference.aspx

HBS – ACCION 2. Program On Strategic Leadership For Microfinance United States , April 5th – 10th , 2010

The HBS-ACCION Program on Strategic Leadership for Microfinance is a unique opportunity for microfinance leaders from around the world to examine these issues in the company of industry peers while being exposed to some of the foremost thinkers and practitioners in the field of business strategy and management. Participating in the HBS-ACCION program will raise microfinance leaders to new levels of leadership, benefiting themselves, their organizations and the many poor they seek to reach through microfinance. Topics will include:

Strategy•

Industry Consolidation•

Competition•

Organizational change•

Economic and social value•

Candidates are encouraged to apply online using the online application at

www.accion.org/hbs before December 31, 2009

Full information is available on http://www.accion.org/Document.Doc?id=680

Reminder: Grameen-Jameel MFI Awards for 2010 3.

Sanabel and Grameen-Jameel are pleased to introduce a new awards program that recognizes Arab microfinance institutions who demonstrate excellence in the following areas: 1) Innovation; 2) Leadership; and 3) Sustainable Growth. Award winners will be announced at the Sanabel Seventh Annual Conference in 2010. Award winners will be receiving cash prizes from Grameen-Jameel in recognition of their accomplishments. The application deadline is February 28, 2010.

For more information, and to fill the application form, please visit the following link:http://www.sanabelnetwork.org/en/node/534


SuggESTED REaDiNgS

Shedding Light on Microfinance Equity Valuation: Past and Present - CGAP Occasional paper number 1. 14; 2009.http://www.arabic.microfinancegateway.org/content/article/detail/26190Family Bank in Sudan: Opportunities and Hope; 2009.2. http://www.arabic.microfinancegateway.org/content/article/detail/25905The New Moneylenders: Are the Poor Being Exploited by High Microcredit Interest Rates? - CGAP 3. Occasional paper number 15; 2009.http://www.arabic.microfinancegateway.org/content/article/detail/26191Can Microfinance Reduce Portfolio Volatility; 2008.4. http://www.arabic.microfinancegateway.org/content/article/detail/25993Putting the Social into Performance Management; 2008.5. http://www.arabic.microfinancegateway.org/content/article/detail/26073Putting the Social into Performance Management: A practice-based guide for microfinance; 2008.6. http://www.arabic.microfinancegateway.org/content/article/detail/26074Credit Union Regulation and Supervision Technical Guide; 2008.7. http://www.arabic.microfinancegateway.org/content/article/detail/26076Planning for Cost Effective Evaluation and Evaluability Assessment; 2008.8. http://www.arabic.microfinancegateway.org/content/article/detail/26094Banks and Micro banks; 2008.9. http://www.arabic.microfinancegateway.org/content/article/detail/26185SPM in Microfinance Guidelines; 2005.10. http://www.arabic.microfinancegateway.org/content/article/detail/26075


NEWS LETTER

SaNabEL TEam coNTacTS

Executive Director: Ms. Ranya Abdel- Baki, [email protected] Manager: Mrs. Howida Fahmi, [email protected] Coordinator: Mrs. Miriam Saati, [email protected] Project Coordinator: Ms. Nadine El Leissy, [email protected] & Membership Coordinator: Mrs. Lamiaa Said,[email protected] Analyst: Ms. Shaimaa Zain, [email protected] Microfinance Gateway Consultant: Mrs. Abeer Mahrous,[email protected] Translation Coordinator: Mrs. Sahar Soliman, [email protected] Accountant: Mr. Ahmed Ali, [email protected] Assistant: Ms. Christine Adel, [email protected]

Sanabel - The Microfinance Network of Arab Countries.Website: http://www.sanabelnetwork.org

Mailing Address: 1 El Sad El Aly Square, 5th floor, Suite 51 - Dokki, Giza, EgyptTel: + 202 3748 8624 / +20 10 999 5969

Fax: + 202 3337 0714

The Microfinance Network of Arab Countries