PROMOTE INNOVATION AND EFFICIENCY

For decades, the supply of microfinance services has failed to meet the demand from a growing number of the working poor, leaving millions of families unserved. Historically, the high cost to serve thousands of clients through small transactions has acted as a barrier to growth for many microfinance institutions (MFIs). 

In order to change the landscape, spur systemic change, and reach more of the world’s working poor with life-changing financial services, Unitus believes it is essential to promote new and more cost-effective ways of serving greater volumes of micro-entrepreneurs. Recent efforts include:

  • The Unitus Efficiency Project

    With support from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in 2006 Unitus embarked on an ambitious 3-year project to study the operations of four diverse microfinance institutions and determine the key drivers for improving efficiency. At the conclusion of the project, the findings of the study will be released to the entire microfinance industry for broad-reaching impact.

  • Innovation Workshops

    Unitus team members in the field regularly facilitate innovation workshops, a participatory project that includes every level of the MFI’s organization—field staff, central office personnel, and senior management—with the aim of uncovering new ideas and approaches that can improve efficiencies and eliminate barriers to growth, leading to stronger, more effective MFIs.

  • Innovative, Expert Tools and Services

    Unitus has gathered experienced professionals from the business, technology, consulting, and human resources sectors to drive innovations designed to unlock the operational capacity for MFIs around the globe. This team’s efforts are currently aimed at building cutting-edge advisory tools and services to improve the bottom line of our partner MFIs.


In the coming months, Unitus will continue to focus on innovations across a number of important areas, including:

  • Innovative capital sources and structures
  • New online tools for MFIs
  • Business opportunities for micro-entrepreneurs
  • Financial infrastructure for emerging economies
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