Report of mission to Zambia: national microcredit summit 18-22 October 1997

Abstract

The document is a report on the National Microcredit Summit held in Zambia from October 18-22, 1997. The summit aimed to empower one million poor people, especially women, by providing microcredit for self-employment and other financial services by 2005. Key issues discussed included successful microcredit methodologies, financial policies, coordination, client empowerment, and capacity building. The summit highlighted the need for legal reforms, donor support, and a focus on women's access to credit. Recommendations for the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) included designing programs to support women's microenterprises and providing technical assistance for gender mainstreaming in regional initiatives.