NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Arranged by the Association of Ethiopian Microfinance Institutions (AEMFI), this event will cover research on topics such as rural financial services, digital financial services, social performance management, product innovation, and responsible finance. Sessions will also cover small and medium-sized enterprises, youth finance, renewable-energy finance, guarantee schemes, savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs), and value-chain financing.

Background on Organizers:

Established in 1999, AEMFI is a nonprofit organization providing a platform for microfinance practitioners to work towards the expansion of the microfinance industry in Ethiopia. In addition to individuals and organizations indirectly involved in microfinance, AEMFI has 35 member microfinance institutions (MFIs) as of 2018. These organizations provide credit, savings, money transfer, and pension-payment services in eight of the 11 administrative units of Ethiopia.

Dedebit Credit and Savings Institution (DECSI), which was established in 1997, provides credit, savings, and money-transfer services to poor people in rural and urban parts of the Tigray region of Ethiopia. As of 2012, the latest period for which data is available, DESCI had assets of USD 195 million, a loan portfolio of USD 128 million and client deposits of USD 87 million.

Cost: Although there is no fee to attend, pre-registration is required.