CGAP 2007 Annual Report

Publication Date: 2007
Published by: Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP)
Document Type: Paper

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Review of CGAP’s role and activities in microfinance in 2007.

This annual report highlights CGAP activities in providing access to finance for the poor in the fiscal year 2007. The report states that the microfinance industry has made great strides in the last five years, but challenges, gaps and constraints remain. It describes the activities and accomplishments of CGAP in:

• Building financial market infrastructure;
• Fostering supportive policy environments;
• Improving the effectiveness of microfinance funding;
• Promoting diverse institutions and delivery channels;
• Developing diverse pro-poor financial services;
• Communications and publications;
• Monitoring and evaluation.

The report highlights findings from the CGAP survey that recognizes its role in microfinance as that of a knowledge resource center, global network center, research institute and a funders consortium. The survey respondents also suggest that CGAP could increase access to finance by:

• Building market infrastructure;
• Developing a greater range of pro-poor products;
• Concentrating on clients in remote areas;
• Working on government policy and regulation;
• Developing new technology for the delivery of financial services;
• Increasing funds for MFIs;
• Augmenting consumer protection and financial education.

The report concludes by describing CGAP’s strategy to meet the changing needs of the microfinance industry in the future.