THE ROLE OF MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS TO THE POOR IN SOUTHERN SUDAN A CASE STUDY OF JUBA COUNTY MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONSOUTHERN SUDAN

ABSTRACT

The research was conducted in juba county microfinance institution

which is located in Juba county southern Sudan. The research topic was

"the role of microfinance institutions to the poor. The research took a

period of three months the respondents consisted of (20) juba county

clients, MFI (5) managers, (5) Bankers, and (20) community members.

The research was guided by the objectives and the research questions of

the study. The research questions were; what is the role microfinance

institutions to the poor?, what is the relationship between microfinance

institutions and economic development?, and what are the challenges

met by microfinance institutions in their. attempt to provide financial

services to the poor.

On the role of microfinance institutions to the poor, the finding revealed

that; issuance of the loans, loan recovery, advice on financial

management, and funding of development projects were the answers

given by the respondents.

On the relationship between micro financial institutions and economic

development, the findings found out that there is a strong link between

microfinance institutions and economic development.

On the challenges met by microfinance institutions in their attempt to

provide financial services to the poor, . the findings revealed that;

ignorance of the public, low savings by the poor, poor financial

management, public failure to pay debts, and lack of government support

were the answers given by the respondents.

The researcher then came up with conclusions and recommendations

after the findings of the study.