| The purpose of this thesis was to examine the poverty reach and impact of microfinance access for small-scale entrepreneurs in Africa. With regards impact it was found that microfinance clients increased their enterprise sales, profits and households assets over time and that the relationship with the microfinance organization contributed to that increase. It was also found that the household vulnerability of microfinance clients with respect to covariate environmental shock was decreased over time. With respect to poverty reach, it was found that the microfinance clients were from a statistically different and wealthier population than the population in general. Thus, while achieving impacts among its clientele, the microfinance programme was not reaching the poorest sectors of the Rwandan population. The microfinance industry continues to grapple with the twin goals of poverty reach and impact. This study shows that simultaneous achievement of these twin goals continues to be elusive. |
