AMERSFOORT, The Netherlands, March 13, 2012
/PRNewswire-Asia/ --
Oikocredit has concluded another year of solid
return for its investors and partners, demonstrating its strength
in a diverse portfolio.
2011 proved a positive year for Oikocredit - one of
the world's largest private microfinance financiers. There was an
8% increase in money in the field, as Oikocredit's development
finance portfolio reached Euro 520 million - up from Euro 481
million in 2010. Through 896 partners, Oikocredit financing gave
over 26 million people access to fair finance, economic opportunity
and community development.
Investors demonstrated their commitment to
development finance by providing Oikocredit with a net capital
inflow of Euro 40 million. In total 2,000 new investors joined,
bringing the number of investors worldwide to 45,000. Investors
will share in Oikocredit's final 2011 result of Euro 15.9 million,
with Euro 9.7 million (2% on member capital) to be proposed as
dividend.
Despite challenges in microfinance in the Indian
state of Andhra Pradesh, Oikocredit's total portfolio remained
strong because of its diverse investments in agriculture, trade and
microfinance in almost 70 countries.
Client welfare a top priority
Oikocredit aims to achieve positive social change in
the lives of poor entrepreneurs and client welfare remains a
priority. Throughout 2011, Oikocredit also supported over 100
capacity building interventions to enable partners to improve
operations and enhance their social mission. Building on the
success of last year's activities, Oikocredit will allocate almost
Euro 500,000 from its net income for 2011 to reinforce capacity
building support to partners.
Growth in Africa
The past year saw Oikocredit gain more ground as an
investor in Africa. Oikocredit's African portfolio remains well
above the industry average for social investors of 5% (Symbiotics
2011 MIV Survey Report) with 15% of our portfolio - Euro 75 million
- invested in 17 African countries. Oikocredit forged 50
partnerships with African organizations last year, and staffed
offices in Nigeria and Mozambique. Operations started in Rwanda,
and throughout 2012, Oikocredit plans to undertake market surveys
in Cameroon, Madagascar and Malawi.
Outlook 2012
In the coming year, Oikocredit will continue to work
closely with its partners to deliver positive social change and
access to financial products and services. Next to a further
expansion in Africa, Oikocredit aims to increase its equity
portfolio and financing of agricultural
projects.
Oikocredit is a cooperative financial institution
that offers loans or investment capital to MFIs, cooperatives, fair
trade organizations and small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in
the developing world. Oikocredit offers a dual return to its
investors: financial and social. In addition to earning modest
financial returns, investors are secure in the knowledge that their
money is being used to fight poverty, promote fair trade and
respect our planet's natural resources.
SOURCE﹛Oikocredit