Success of Microfinance Institutions: The Ghanaian Experience

Abstract

Success in microfinance refers to measures which when adopted will significantly improve the life and operations of the institutions though many authors have different views on what constitute success. The following imperatives have been used to scan success of microfinance institutions (MFIs): acquiring more clients, effective and efficient loan processing, effective record keeping, increased savings, external and internal audits, level of staff remuneration and staff turnover rate. The research was based on both qualitative and quantitative approaches. First, interviews were held with selected CEOs from all the categories of MFIs in Ghana. This was followed by self-administered survey involving 130 microfinance institutions. The results indicated that all the perceived factors were significant in determining the success of MFIs.
Key words: Success; Microfinance; Sustainability; Remuneration