Microfinancing in the MENA region
Poster Number
001
College
College of Business Administration
Department
Accounting, Finance & Economics
Abstract
This paper seeks to answer the question: Is implementation of microfinancing institutions in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region a viable method to increase economic development? Microfinancing is the practice of issuing small loans to those who are unable to borrow from typical banking institutions, due to either location or lack of collateral. Microfinancing can jumpstart small businesses and positively affect small economies. Not only does microfinancing help the immediate borrower, but it also has potential to aid in the economic development of the entire surrounding community. The MENA region includes some of the most affluent countries in the world, as well as some of the poorest, which makes generalizing about the economic state of this region difficult. By carrying out a literature review on the topics of microfinancing and MENA economic development, in tandem with analysis of data from regions with a history of microfinancing that are relatively comparable to MENA regions, I will examine the promising future of microfinance implementation in the MENA region.
Honors Thesis Committee
Laura Ullrich, Ph.D.; Danko Tarabar, Ph.D.; and Nicholas Moellman, Ph.D.
Start Date
12-4-2019 12:00 PM
End Date
April 2019
Microfinancing in the MENA region
Rutledge Building
This paper seeks to answer the question: Is implementation of microfinancing institutions in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region a viable method to increase economic development? Microfinancing is the practice of issuing small loans to those who are unable to borrow from typical banking institutions, due to either location or lack of collateral. Microfinancing can jumpstart small businesses and positively affect small economies. Not only does microfinancing help the immediate borrower, but it also has potential to aid in the economic development of the entire surrounding community. The MENA region includes some of the most affluent countries in the world, as well as some of the poorest, which makes generalizing about the economic state of this region difficult. By carrying out a literature review on the topics of microfinancing and MENA economic development, in tandem with analysis of data from regions with a history of microfinancing that are relatively comparable to MENA regions, I will examine the promising future of microfinance implementation in the MENA region.
