Hanadi TUTUNJI's speech at European Microfinance Week 2024
Hanadi Tutunji, Technical Assistance Program Manager, spoke at the European Microfinance Week 2024 in Luxembourg (EMW 2024).
THE November 14, this session highlighted the challenges and opportunities related to the financial inclusion of refugees, a central theme of this edition. Concrete examples, notably in Uganda, illustrated the need to strengthen the capacities of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and financial actors to meet the specific needs of this vulnerable population.
Refugees, often perceived as a temporary population, actually reside in host countries for long periods. Uganda, For example, 77 % refugees have been living there for more than ten years, making the country the largest host of refugees in Africa and the fifth largest in the world.
During this session, Hanadi Tutunji emphasized the importance of developing tailored financial solutions to promote the economic integration and self-reliance of refugees. She also highlighted opportunities for collaboration with strategic partners, emphasizing the need to choose partners aligned with the values of inclusion and social responsibility. The selection of partners is based on their ability to understand the specific needs of refugees and to offer innovative and sustainable solutions.
Celebrating women, drivers of change
In this International Women's Day, Grameen Crédit Agricole wishes to recognize the essential role that women play in the society and economy of emerging countries. For 16 years, Grameen Crédit Agricole has been promoting the empowerment of women by strengthening the partners it supports who provide them with tailored global financial solutions. Among the organizations supported by Grameen Crédit Agricole are: 6.7 million of beneficiaries including 73 % women And 76 % customers in rural areas.
Women are true drivers of economic and social change. When they have the means to undertake and generate income, they prioritize investing in the well-being of their families and communities. Their financial autonomy strengthens their decision-making power within the household and allows them to break the cycle of poverty.
Grameen Agricultural Credit promotes local financial inclusion and supports women entrepreneurs in emerging countries: farmers, traders, peasants, and artisans. Their determination, creativity, and resilience are a constant source of inspiration. This is why we will continue to innovate to better meet their specific needs.
On this symbolic day, let us pay tribute to all these exceptional women who, through their hard work, are building a better future for themselves, their families, and their local communities. Together, let us continue our efforts for a fairer and more inclusive society, where gender equality is fully achieved.
Thierry Uy Tiv and Robin Lavrilloux of the Grameen Credit Agricole Foundation Podcast participate in a discussion on financial inclusion in Thailand
Thierry Uy Tiv (Innovation and customer) and Robin Lavrilloux (Head of the Financing Team), participated in the recording of a podcast in Thailand dedicated to financial inclusion, organized by the Macroeconomic Policy Bureau, THE Fiscal Policy Journal and the KM TaskforceThe event highlighted the transformation of communities through inclusive finance.
The discussions addressed the challenges and opportunities related to access to financial services in regions marked by significant socioeconomic inequalities. Experts shared their experiences and discussed innovative strategies to promote financial inclusion, such as the use of fintechs and incentive-based tax policies. They also highlighted the importance of local initiatives that enable disadvantaged populations to better access banking services and microfinance solutions, particularly for women, who are often excluded from financial services.
Additionally, they highlighted the crucial role of responsible investments in creating a more inclusive and sustainable financial ecosystem. The experience of other countries was discussed to illustrate how successful models of financial inclusion have transformed the lives of many communities around the world.
VisionFund Tanzania: Digital microloans, women entrepreneurs, and great success stories.
In 2023, Grameen Crédit Agricole supported VisionFund Tanzania , with a loan of 2 million euros. This microfinance institution improves the lives of low-income entrepreneurs by providing them with sustainable and inclusive financial services. These loans play a vital role in empowering women entrepreneurs, who represent nearly 60 % of their customers. Thanks to this funding, they develop income-generating activities, improve their living conditions and invest in the education of their children, thus unlocking the economic and social potential of the local community.
Digitalization is also a key lever for VisionFund Tanzania. Using digital tools, managers have simplified loan processes, made services more accessible, and improved operational efficiency. This innovative approach has made life easier for women entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas, where 63 % of the customer is located.
Inspiring testimonies from women entrepreneurs illustrate the tangible impact of these loans: local job creation, increased family income, and increased self-confidence. These results demonstrate that microfinance, combined with digitalization, is a powerful tool for unlocking the economic potential of communities and sustainably improving quality of life.
Mission of the Foundation's administrators to Senegal
From December 8 to 10, 2024, the Foundation's directors carried out a mission to Senegal, punctuated by inspiring visits and constructive discussions with local partners. This immersion aimed to better understand the impact of the Foundation's initiatives in the country.
On the agenda for the first day: visit to the agency of VisionFund Senegal in Fatick, where administrators met with microcredit clients, mainly women, who use these loans to develop income-generating activities. The day continued with a discovery of Plastic Odyssey Factory, an innovative recycling plant, and concluded with a dinner with local entrepreneurs.
The next day, the administrators visited the Nobin Project, a program aimed at transforming unemployed young women into entrepreneurs, as well as Haskè Conseil, an innovation hub dedicated to private sector development in West Africa.
Through this mission, the Foundation reaffirms its commitment to supporting local initiatives that drive economic, social, and environmental progress. These meetings highlighted the central role of microfinance and impact businesses in improving the living conditions of vulnerable populations in Senegal.