This document summarizes a workshop on microfinance in the Middle East and North Africa region. It discusses the need for greater financial inclusion, key features of microfinance in the region including portfolio quality and profitability. It also examines the impact of recent political events, challenges, and opportunities for improving microfinance with help from governments, microfinance institutions, and donors. Topics for discussion included updates on the regional microfinance sector and lessons learned.

1. Multi Country Workshop on Support for Euro-Mediterranean industrial cooperation on Access to Finance Organised by the European Commission (TAIEX) Milan, Italy 13 to 15 December 2011 Microfinance in MENA Challenges and Opportunities Ahead Guadalupe de la Mata

3. Update on MENA Microfinance Sector

4. Microfinance in the region before the Arab spring Source: Mix Market web site Market Share (2009 ) Region N of MFIs % of MFIs from total % outreach from total Countries with highest outreach in REgion Africa 150 15% 9% Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda ECA 189 19% 3% Mongolia, Bosnia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyztan, Armenia Asia 289 27% 70% India, Blangladesh, Vietnam, Philippines, China LAC 347 34% 16% Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil MENA 55 5% 3% Egypt, Morrocco, Jordan, Tunisia, IRaq

5. Main features of the sector in the region

6. Portfolio Quality and Profitability (2009)

7. Impact of the political events since beginning of 2011

8. Lessons learned

9. Challenges

10. Opportunities for further improvements: How can different stakeholders help?

11. Opportunities for further improvements: How can different stakeholders help?

12. Opportunities for further improvements: How can different stakeholders help?