Zambia Data Launch Presentation

Concluding months of research and analysis, MFTransparency’s dataset for Zambia went live in January, 2011. We are pleased to share transparent pricing data for this country for the first time in the history of the Zambian microfinance market.

We would like to thank everyone for their support shown for this Initiative, especially the microfinance institutions who voluntarily participated and submitted their data.

Their participation truly demonstrates their institution’s commitment to client protection and contributes to the sustainable growth of the microfinance industry in Zambia. We would also like to thank the microfinance network in Zambia, AMIZ, for their assistance with the Initiative, and the project funders MasterCard Foundation.

The following presentation provides an overview and analysis of the dataset. In the video, MFTransparency’s CEO, Chuck Waterfield, presents the pricing dynamics in the Zambian microfinance market, using actual pricing data collected from microfinance institutions in Zambia.

To download this presentation as a PDF click here

To view the interactive Zambia transparent pricing dataset here

About the enabling APR & EIR Program:

The Transparent Pricing Initiative in Zambia is part of a broader project funded by the MasterCard Foundation and known as the enabling APR & EIR Program (enabling Africa to Price Responsibly & Educate on Interest Rates). This project began in August 2010 with Malawi and continued with Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique. In each of these countries, MFTransparency collects and publishes data on the interest and fees charged on microfinance loan products in order to calculate their accurate, true prices (Effective Interest Rates). As part of the enabling APR & EIR Program, MFTransparency also conducts training seminars, offers technical assistance to financial institutions, facilitates discussion on policy for pricing disclosure and client protection and produces educational materials tailored to the specific needs of different stakeholder groups, including financial education programs for borrowers.