IslamicFinance.de

Ensuring the provision of financial services to the poor can address the challenge of poverty alleviation. A large portion of the poor population, however, is excluded from formal financial services. Although access to Islamic microfinance is critical to growth and prosperity in many countries it is provided only by a small number of providers covering less than 1% of the total microfinance outreach. Sustainability of Islamic microfinance institutions (MFIs) is also an emerging challenge. Moreover, Islamic MFIs tend to predominantly use murabaha (cost-plus credit sale) and qard hassan (interest free loans). These products have implications related to sustainability and outreach of MFIs as the cost can be higher in the former and the latter does not generate any return. Innovative solutions are needed to develop more comprehensive and efficient instruments which build on sustainable business models and product diversity.