2nd International Conference on Micro-finance and New Technologies in March in Marrakech

Some 50 experts from institutions of micro-finance, companies specialized in ICT, banking, telecom and money transfer, regulators, consultants, donors, public and private aid agencies animate the work of this conference.

Several topics will be reviewed and discussed during two days of the conference, including information systems and management for micro-finance, technological solutions to improve the performance of institutions of micro-finance, and Mobile Banking micro-finance.

Nearly 250 decision makers from around the world are expected as well as numerous national and international exhibitors, organizers said.

New technologies are a key issue for the sector of micro-finance and their use could help double the number of micro-entrepreneurs beneficiaries to reach the number 300 million worldwide, organisers pointed out.

Morocco was chosen to host this conference because it is a country where the area of micro-finance is particularly important and well-structured and is evolving, organisers explained.

With 1.24 million of outstanding loans, the sector of microfinance in Morocco is a leader in the MENA region and certain associations of micro-credit are also ranked among the top 20 worldwide.

This event is initiated by PlaNet Finance, an international non profit organization whose mission is to fight against poverty through the development of micro-finance, Banque Populaire Group and Sogeti (computer services and engineering), with support from Meditel.