Contours Of Microcredit Mannequin: Socio-Economic Differentials Of Debtors And Non-Debtors In Sierra Leone.

摘要

The controversies of microfinance are to a large extent fueled by its unclear definition and limited understanding of the extent of its impact. The problem of taxonomy leads to contrast between idealistic beliefs in the sectorial mission and pragmatic solutions of MFIs causing misinterpretations of the realities by financial laity as well as by development experts. Lack of comprehension of the potential as well as an ideal socio-economic habitat and target profile of microdebtors in the light of problems of over indebtedness, belongs to such problems. An in-depth comprehension of the profile of a desirable microfinance client denominated as microcredit mannequin from the development perspective, and a grasp of a combination of drivers that make microenterpreneurs in developing countries often contracting microdebt, might serve as a tool for more efficient focus of microfinance in developing countries. An understanding of the meaning of microfinance and the characteristics of a desirable client could help focus on particular socio-economic strata, prevention of overindebtedness and improve the impact of debt, especially in rural areas where microfinance is most needed and where it lacks most expertise. The study was founded upon field data collected in regions in Sierra Leone from 800 microfinance debtors as well as non-microfinance practitioners and compares their socio-economic profiles in order to arrive to a set of generalised conclusions on the particular drivers that define microfinance clientele.