Residents in sub-Saharan African countries report a wide range of awareness about the availability of microfinance lending in their communities, suggesting these institutions remain locally inaccessible to many who would benefit most from using them. Malawians (65%) and Ugandans (63%) are the most likely to say they are aware of these institutions in their communities, while respondents from Ivory Coast (18%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (16%), and Zimbabwe (15%) are the least likely to say the same.

This AfricaFocus contains a diverse selection of recent books likely to be of interest and new to AfricaFocus readers. You will find, for example, new books by Africa's distinguished elders, such as Achebe, wa Thiong'o, and Mandela. Selected new books from publishers such as Africa World Press, HSRC Press, and Aflame Books. Books on topical themes such as SMS activism and other ICT developments, on India and China's relations with Africa, and on xenophobia and migration. And more.

All Nokia smartphones released by the company from 2011 will come with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology built in, according to Near Field Communications World (NFCW).

Mobile payment users worldwide are forecast to increase 2.1 percent to 109 million by the end of 2010, a US-based research firm said in a report.

Mobile technology has the greatest chance of delivering financial services to Africa’s estimated 325 million low-income, un-banked people. Examples of African financial innovations abound and the results are being felt across the continent, where mobile phone penetration continues to skyrocket. Dianna Games writes about the success stories and the need for investors to think from the ground up.

SKS Microfinance Limited, the largest Micro Finance Institution in India, today announced that its public issue will open on July 28.

A renowned microfinance training centre in Italy will welcome representatives from five Pacific Island countries.

On July 1 Open Revolution and Geocell announced the ultimate innovative mobile payment method - MobiPay, which allows you to make purchases, bill payments and person to person money transfers much more easily, more quickly, more safely and more conveniently by mobile phone.

He would have been a hardcore banker had he not branched out to microfinance. And that was because “it is a business with a social mission offering double bottom line satisfaction to all stakeholders”. Udaia Kumar, MD Share Microfin Limited Interviewed by Pranab Ghosh, Hindustan Times.

Matthias Omeh, president, National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), on Monday advised microfinance banks to partner with credit bureaux to ascertain the status of their customers.

2010 Legatum Africa Awards to Recognise and Reward Africa's Entrepreneurial Business Leaders. Awards Ceremony to be Hosted in Accra, Ghana

Unisys is a worldwide information technology services and solutions company. Our 37,000 people help clients in more than 100 countries use technology to seize opportunities, overcome challenges and succeed in the global economy. We offer business solutions led by our expertise in consulting and systems integration, outsourcing, network services and security – coupled with leading enterprise-class server and related technologies.

Central Bank authorities from eight developing countries (D-8) including Nigeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan and Turkey yesterday agreed to foster collaboration among member countries for the purpose of monetary, fiscal stability and development of member nations.

Misys plc (UK) is a global software products and solutions company and serves customers in the international banking and securities, international healthcare, and UK general insurance industries. Misys employs over 6,000 people internationally. Misys was founded in 1979 to supply computer systems to UK insurance brokers. Now it is one of the world's largest software solutions companies, supplying customers in the banking, healthcare and financial services industries with IT and outsourcing facilities to improve their business processes.

World Health Organization (WHO) is in a unique position to engage with countries through its regional and country offices. In the Regions, WHO focuses on providing support in line with country priorities as reflected in the Country Cooperation Strategies (CCS) which derive from the core functions of WHO.

Swiss group, TEMENOS, has over 300 client names worldwide, has systems live in over 500 client sites, operating in more than 100 countries. Founded in 1993, TEMENOS Group AG is a provider of integrated, modular, core banking systems that provides banks with a single, real-time view of the client across the enterprise. TEMENOS delivers 24/7 functionality to the wholesale, retail and private banking sectors, or partnering with central banks on core system replacement. TEMENOS is established as an international leader in the banking software industry. The company has expertise and commitment in projects. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the company has 34 offices in 29 countries and is listed on the main segment of the SWX Swiss Exchange (TEMN).

Because now Sustainable development has become a lifestyle and a source of daily inspiration, because beauty and fashion can help spread the word in a very attractive way, several big names in fashion such as Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Jean-Claude Jitrois, Jerome L'Huillier, Kenzo Takada, Marithe and Francois Girbaud, Ylan Anoufa, Swarovski by On Aura Tout Vu or Antik Batik have kindly agreed to support the operation Be Cycle & Fashion. Daily reports and bikes pictures on www.oneheartchannel.com.

Infosys provides a complete range of IT consulting outsourcing services based on strong domain and business expertise and strategic alliances with leading technology providers. Infosys' service offerings span business and technology consulting, application services, systems integration, product engineering, custom software development, maintenance, re-engineering independent testing and validation services, IT infrastructure services and business process outsourcing (BPO). Infosys is a leading global IT organization with over 40 offices and development centers in India, China, Australia, the Czech Republic, Poland, the UK, Canada and Japan.

TATA Consultancy Services Financial Solutions (TCSFS) is a global and innovative company with a strategic focus on the present and future requirements of financial institutions. TCSFS goal is to enable their clients to meet the business challenges of modern-day banking and to achieve and sustain a competitive edge. TATA Consultancy Services acquired the former TKS Group.

The axiom "give a man a fish, feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime" is widely accepted among the international development community, and for good reason. But taken on its own, this axiom leaves out very important principles.

Part of the Greece-based group Intracom Holdings established in 1977, INTRACOM IT SERVICES is a provider and systems integrator of technology solutions for banking and financial institutions, covering core banking, treasury, risk management, Phone/Internet/WAP Banking, Call centers, etc. INTRACOM IT SERVICES is an IT services provider in the Greek market and an IT solutions integrator in S.E. Europe and the M. East.

The second day of ‘Microfinance Cracking the Capital Market’ Conference began with an insightful perspective on future Institutional Investments in the Indian microfinance space. Victoria White, Vice-President and Director, India, ACCION and Alok Prasad, Country Manager-Microfinance, Citi India welcomed the audience with a brief remark on the need and future prospect of institutional investments which the industry requires.

SAP is headquartered in Germany and is a world-leading provider of business software solutions. SAP solutions are designed to meet the demands of companies of all sizes -- from small and midsize businesses to global enterprises.

Microfinance is going mainstream as international investors look to boost the value and the reach of small microlending institutions. As a result, the industry is likely to attract mainstream scrutiny from the press.

SAB is a French vendor of core banking solutions with an international presence, mainly in francophile institutions across Europe, Africa, Middle East and the Pacific. Established in 1989, SAB is an independent group that publishes an integrated software package for banking and financial institutions: the SAB solution for front to back office banking operations.

With hundreds of fledgling entrepreneurs ready to change the world and maybe make millions while they do it, the buzz around the microfinance industry looks a bit like the dot-com boom at the end of the ’90s.

With only five years left until the target date for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the United Nations has launched the MDG Report 2010 calling for accelerated progress to reach the 2015 deadline. As the UN Specialized Agency for Tourism, UNWTO is firmly committed to fostering the tourism sector’s contribution to development.

The Ghana Islamic Microfinance www.ghanaislamicmicrofinance an upcoming microfinance institution that seeks to offer ethical micro financing in Ghana, campaign against predatory loans and offer interest free loans for both the Muslim and Non-Muslim community in Ghana have learnt with shock the passing away of Ibrahim Shaributu the brother of the National Chief Imam Sheik Nuhu Shaributu.

Non-profit industry leaders, telephone carriers and technologists are joining the Innovative Giving Conference entitled ‘Mobile Giving and Communication Demystified’ held September 27th – 28th in Malibu