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The MFRC in conjunction with the University of Pretoria, the Association of Microfinance Institutions of Uganda, the Bank of Uganda and the GTZ-Sida Financial System Development programme in Uganda will be hosting the second African Microfinance Conference at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 29 August 2005 to 01 September 2005. The theme of the conference is “Integrating microfinance into formal financial markets

"Integrating microfinance into formal financial markets", The 2nd African Microfinance Conference, Cape Town South Africa

INTRODUCTION

We all are serious about ensuring access to financial services for poor people. We are also well aware that the financial products, delivery systems and organisations that we see in the formal financial system are mostly not appropriate to ensure access to financial services for poor people. However, we also know that we cannot build two financial systems in one country, one for the poor and one for the better-off. The challenge is therefore to build markets and institutions where all people are catered for. This is the challenge that we begin to address with this conference and its theme “Integrating microfinance into formal financial markets”.

The sub-themes of the conference all address this topic. We have put a lot of energy and effort into designing the programme and finding the speakers. Although that is important, it is not enough. We chose a spectacular setting for the conference and for the interaction that will take place. The programme is designed to provide lots of discussion time and the events in the evenings are also focused on getting people to network, to share and to jointly contribute to a good learning experience for all participants. The conference starts with plenary and parallel sessions on six themes over two days, and then we pull the discussions together and expose participants to some of the MFIs in the area on the third day. The fourth day focuses on more learning where the bulk of the day is spent on learning workshops on topical issues.

We look forward to a splendid conference, with vibrant discussions and interactions. Indeed, we are looking forward to welcome you to Cape Town on 29 August 2005.

DATE & VENUE

The conference will take place from Monday 29 August to Thursday 1 September 2005 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, South Africa.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Our conference targets practitioners (managers and staff of microfinance institutions, microfinance departments of banks and microfinance banks), policy makers, researchers, consultants, academics and all people interested in microfinance or providing banking services to the poor.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS AND TOPICS

The conference will be opened by the Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa, Mr Mandisi Mpahlwa

Poverty and microfinance
r Microfinance and the MDGs, Karen Losse, GTZ/Sida FSD, Bank of Uganda, Uganda
r Microfinance service to vulnerable groups in Northern Uganda, Suleiman Namara, World Bank, Uganda
r Targeting the real poor, approaches, experience and lessons from the Small Enterprise Foundation, John de Wit, CEO, SEF, South Africa
r Conventional microfinance: Is it a panacea for (especially) mass poverty?, René Azokli, PADME, Republic of Benin
r Linkage Banking Experiences of NABARD: Towards Inclusive Financial Services, R.V Ramakrishna, NABARD, GTZ Rural Finance Programme, India

Regulation and supervision
r Microfinance Regulation: Key Issues in Getting the Framework Right, Alfred Hannig, GTZ Advisor, Bank Indonesia, Indonesia
r Regulation of MFIs: Lessons from Indonesia, Irman Djaja Dalimi, Bank Indonesia, Indonesia
r The MDI Act in Uganda: Experiences of the Central Bank in drafting a law for MFIs and regulating MFIs, David Kalyango, Bank of Uganda, Uganda
r Legislative and institutional reform to enable greater access to finance, Gabriel Davel, Microfinance Regulatory Council, South Africa
r Regulation Discussion and remaining challenges, Gabriela Braun, GTZ, Germany

Rural Finance
r Rural and Agricultural Finance: An International Review, Geetha Nagarajan and Richard Meyer, USA
r Agricultural and Rural Finance - Status Quo in Africa, Rasmane Ouedraogo, AFRACA, Kenya
r Small farmer finance in South Africa and the financial sector charter, Andrew Makenete, ABSA Bank, South Africa
r The NBD in Egypt: From state owned to a commercial bank, Mona Mubarak, NBD, Egypt
r Commercial Banks and Linkages with rural microfinance institutions, ICICI Bank, India

Transformation of microfinance institutions
r What do regulated microcredit Institutions need to know when they begin mobilizing public savings?, Marguerite Robinson, Institute Fellow Emeritus, HIID, Harvard University, USA
r Challenges of transforming institutions: Uganda and elsewhere, Joanna Ledgerwood & Lloyd Stevens, Uganda
r The case of FINCA Uganda: From discussing the MDI regulations to transforming to an MDI, Fabian Kasi & Claire Wavamuno, FINCA, Uganda
r Central Bank perspective on savings mobilisation and transformation of MFIs into deposit taking institutions, Grace Kasisira & Robina Nakato, Bank of Uganda, Uganda
r Trends and Innovations in Mobilizing Small-balance Deposits, Brigit Helms, CGAP, France
r Equity Bank transformation to a commercial bank, James Mwangi, Equity Bank, Kenya

Membership Based Financial Services
r Where does membership based financial services fit into the financial system?, William Grant, ECIAfrica, South Africa
r MMD like organisations: What are the prospects?, Paul Rippey, FSDU, Uganda
r Management structures for member-based financial institutions, Aleke Dondo, KOA, Kenya
r Linkage banking, development driven - Afriland First Bank, Alamine O Mey, General Manager, Afriland First Bank, Cameroon
r Best governance principles for member-based financial institutions, Oumou Sidibe, NYESIGISO, Mali

Housing theme
r Theme introduction paper, David Porteous, Affordable Housing Institute, USA
r Progress and integration of housing microfinance in the Middle East, Mayada Baydas, Lebanon
r Application of contractual savings for housing in Africa, Friedmann Roy, Bankakademie, Germany
r Housing microfinance: The UMU experience in Uganda, Charles Nalyaali, UMU, Uganda
r Re-engineering the South African housing finance value chain, Kecia Rust, Finmark Trust, South Africa

Integration theme
r Year of Microfinance and Inclusion, Barry Herman, UNDESA, USA
r Integration of markets - concept and case studies from Africa, Asia and Latin America, Gerhard Coetzee (South Africa), Ron Chua (Philippines) and Luis Noel Alfaro (Costa Rica)
r Round table discussion – Poverty vs. Profits
r Conference Summary and Challenges, Kate McKee, USAID, USA

LEARNING WORKSHOPS ON THURSDAY 1 September

Workshop 1: Making remote rural savings and credit groups work: New Strategies and tools
Facilitators: William Grant of ECIAfrica and Paul Rippey of the FSDU Programme, Uganda

Workshop 2: Process Mapping in Microfinance Organisations
Facilitator: David Cracknell of MicroSave, Kenya

Workshop 3: Liquidity Management for Microfinance Institutions
Facilitator: Joachim Bald from Bankakademie, Germany

Workshop 4: Credit Registries and Scoring Systems
Facilitator: Rashid Ahmed, MFRC; Nicola Jentzsch, Independent Consultant; Arnaud Ventura, PlaNet Finance and Julio César Pinzón, LiSim

REGISTRATION

Registration fees
Early registration fee prior to 31 July 2005 R4 000 including VAT at 14%
Late registration fee after 31 July 2005 R4 500 including VAT at 14%

HOW TO REGISTER AND MORE INFORMATION

Obtain registration form from website or contact Event Dynamics Africa
Telephone: +27 (0) 11 440 8027
Fax: +27 (0) 11 786 5683
E-mail: monicac@edafrica.co.za
Contact: Monica Chipeta
Website: www.mfrc.co.za