About
About this site
Microfinance Explained is an independent, non-commercial educational resource on microfinance and financial inclusion.
What we publish
We write plain-language guides on how microfinance products work, how microfinance institutions are assessed, and what the research evidence says. The guides are for students, practitioners, journalists and anyone curious about how low-income households get access to financial services.
About the domain
The domain mfnetwork.org was used until the 2000s by the MicroFinance Network (MFN), a global network of leading microfinance institutions founded in 1993. This site is not affiliatedwith the MicroFinance Network. The organisation is still active atmicrofinancenetwork.net.
If you followed an old link looking for MFN publications or member data, please visit their current website. Our history page has background on the network's role in the sector.
Editorial approach
- We cite primary sources, such as CGAP publications, peer-reviewed studies and regulator documents, where possible.
- We do not accept payment for coverage and do not run lending or comparison products.
- Each guide shows the date it was last updated.