This report attempts to synthesize the promising elements in rural finance operations reviewed in countries within and outside sub-Saharan Africa, with the focus on savings mobilization, improving loan portfolio management, reducing transaction costs etc. The experiences reviewed point to the relatively successful performance of the informal sector, particularly financial cooperatives, group finance and trade finance, and the promise it holds through possible greater integration with the formal financial system for the development of viable rural financial markets in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sabapathy Thillairajah
Sabaparhy Thillairajah has retired from thе World Bank At the time this paper was written, he was
principal financial analyst in the Environmentally Sustainable Development Division of the Africa Technical Department of the World Bank.