Affiliate Partners

Women World Banking

Women's World Banking (WWB) provides support, advice, training and information to a global network of 40 microfinance institutions and banks that offer credit and other financial services to more than 24 million low-income people — 80 percent of whom are women — in 28 countries worldwide. The wide array of carefully targeted, professional services that WWB provides to strengthen its member organizations is unique in the world. Also unique are the personal relationships and guidance that WWB offers to small, grassroots organizations and women's groups as they grow to become successful, financial entities committed to serving the poor, especially women.

WWB is a pioneer in setting performance standards in the microfinance industry. The organizations in our network are held to a high standard of performance, encouraging them to excel, to grow and to embrace innovation. Currently, WWB network members are growing their financial resources (and hence their customer base) at a rate of 30 percent per year, and have an outstanding loan portfolio of over $5.5 billion. Our global presence allows us to share best practices across regions and increase the speed of learning across the globe.

WWB helps create new ways of banking for the poor, as the microfinance field matures and clients require a greater variety of products and services. We also act as a catalyst to mobilize major banks to enter the microfinance market in profitable and responsible ways.

Women’s World Banking mission as a global network is to expand the economic assets, participation and power of low-income women and their households by helping them access financial services, knowledge and markets.

Sanabel Microfinance Network

Sanabel was established in 2002 when 17 representatives from seven Arab countries gathered in Tunisia to launch a network designed to serve microfinance institutions in the Arab world.  At this meeting the group adopted by-laws and membership criteria, articulated a vision, mission and objectives and elected an executive committee.

At its General Assembly meeting in December 2003, Sanabel members voted to formalize the organization by registering Sanabel as a not-for-profit organization and opening a regional office.

In 2004, the organization was incorporated and registered as a nonprofit organization in both Atlanta, Georgia, USA and in Cairo, Egypt where the headquarters is located.

Currently Sanabel has 78 members from 12 Arab Countries. It is estimated that Sanabel members are serving 2.4 million clients representing 83% of the total microfinance clients in the region.

Sanabel advocates for growth, innovation, best practices and standardization of the microfinance sector in Arab countries.

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