Reflections from Johannes Feist, CEO, after the Global Microfinance Forum 2025

In a small Moldovan village, we witnessed how Angela transformed her struggle to feed her children into a thriving business producing gluten-free cereals now available across the country. This is just one example of how we see microfinance serving as a catalyst for meaningful change.

Our approach to microfinancing empowers entrepreneurs in underserved communities by providing essential financial tools. It is not merely about funding; it is about recognising human potential.

In Tajikistan, we met Bunafsha, who expanded from a single weaving machine to a workshop employing multiple women from her community. “The money helped,” she told us, “But more important was that someone finally believed my ideas were valuable.”

The impact is clear in our data: 74% of clients report increased income after financing. Among our female clients, 86% report improved quality of life and 77% experience increased income.

We have observed how microfinance creates powerful ripple effects. In Romania, a beekeeper Oana expanded her honey production after receiving a small loan, eventually hiring from her community. As these employees earned income, they became customers for other local businesses.

Similarly, we supported Elena in establishing the first kindergarten in a Romanian shopping mall. With guidance beyond just financing, she created an entirely new business model where none had existed before.

These successes demonstrate how our approach fosters innovation by supporting entrepreneurs determined to address local challenges with fresh solutions.

We recognise that entrepreneurs in developing markets face significant obstacles:

• Infrastructure limitations: We provide networks and resources beyond capital, leveraging mobile banking to overcome logistical barriers,
• Informal employment: We help entrepreneurs formalise their businesses through registration assistance and legal advice,
• Market instability: Our insurance products and flexible repayment terms help build economic resilience.

We are also expanding our impact through:

• Digital solutions that enable entrepreneurs to access financial services via smartphones,
• Impact investing models that address social challenges while generating returns,
• AI-powered tools that evaluate borrowers using non-traditional indicators.

The promise of microfinance extends beyond changing individual lives. It reshapes what future generations believe is possible. As Angela told us about her growing business: “My dream is not just about gluten-free bread. It is about what I am teaching my kids. They are learning that their ideas matter too.”

This encapsulates our mission. For every entrepreneur we empower, we see a family supported, a community strengthened, and an economy enhanced. This is the promise of microfinance: a promise we remain committed to fulfilling across our operations.