Microfinance, institution-building and development : an Egyptian case study

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is: a) to understand the behaviour of microfinance institutions; b) to capture some of the issues that affect their behaviour and development; and c) to focus on 'healthy' institutionalization processes. Two methodologies were used to achieve this purpose: research and field exposure. From frameworks for analysis to the history and waves of the microfinance revolution; from understanding microfinance within a national context to understanding microfinance within an institutional context; to field cases from Cairo, Egypt (four borrowers and four credit officers)... this thesis has argued the necessity of evaluating the performance of microfinance institutions from within and without. A microfinance institution has to be 'healthy' from within and without to evolve in a 'healthy' manner; one cannot be achieved without the other. Furthermore, the indicators of 'health' should reflect both financial and non-financial data.