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Membership

Join the Microfinance community and advance your career

Highly recommended

“the training has been participatory from day one to the last day and I highly recommend the trainer Ommara who has vast practical and academic expertise and experience to be given more opportunities to train other categories of staff on different issues”

To be a professional member of the Association, you must have, or aim to develop professional experience within the microfinance sector. There are three categories of membership; these are Fellow, Associates and Graduate Academy.

The Microfinance Association is a leading professional membership organisation for the microfinance and the financial inclusion sector.

The Vision of the association is to develop and enhance the role of microfinance professionals as a distinct global professional career.

We are continuing to strive to be a leading voice and a recognised professional body by promoting global standards, best practice and self-development. We are also working to be a major contributor to the development of the microfinance profession worldwide for the benefit of our members.

Some of our members and alumni are now leaders of major microfinance institutions. We are proud of what we have achieved and the fact that most international agencies and organisation see us as an impactful training organisation for the sector.

Very knowledgeable

“The facilitator was very knowledgeable and lively and had all necessary information that was required. She guided us really well”

  • Use of the FMA designation after name
  • Training and Development opportunities
  • Participation in career seminars

Membership categories

The Academy

The membership category is for individuals that are pursuing or willing to pursue a career in the field of microfinance. As you develop your career within the industry by completing the certification examination, you can apply to become an Associate member of the association.

Associate

This membership category is for practitioners that have at least five years experience in the microfinance industry. The practitioners must hold a middle management position with a microfinance institution, or a non-governmental organisation that provides financial services to those that are at the bottom of the economic pyramid. Graduates of the professional certification programme in microfinance can also apply to be an Associate of the Microfinance Association if they have 12 months experience within a microcredit organisation.

Fellow

This membership category is for practitioners that have a significant number of proven experiences at the senior level in the microfinance industry. The Fellow of the Microfinance Association “FMA” is for a select group of individuals that have made outstanding contributions to the development of the sector.

The Academy

  • Inclusion – Global skills register for graduates
  • 10% discount if you enrol for the Professional certificate in Microfinance
  • 10% discount if you enrol for the Professional certificate in Financial Analysis
  • 10% discount Certified Branch manager training
  • Provision of references if seeking post-graduate qualification in UK and USA
  • Assistance in developing clear career paths and structures
  • Networking and collaboration
  • Assistance in delivery of local training programmes

Associate

  • The use of the AMA - Associate of the Microfinance Association - designation after name
  • Upgrade to Fellow of the Microfinance Association after three years
  • 10% Discount on all courses delivered by the Microfinance Association
  • Advice on career plan
  • Inclusion in Global Skills Database for middle managers
  • Provision of references if seeking post-graduate qualification in UK and USA
  • Inclusion in Microfinance Association - Faculty after undertaken a structured assessment
  • Training of Trainers to deliver the Branch Manager Certification Programme
  • Short -term consultancy assignment

Fellow

  • The use of the FMA - Fellow of the Microfinance Association - designation after name
  • A formal Certificate of Membership
  • Guest Speaker at conferences
  • Inclusion in the Global Skills Register for senior professionals
  • Contribution to White Papers published by the Association
  • Discounts – 15 % discount on all Association training programmes
  • Liaison during visits to UK
  • Facilitation/ Consular assistance - visits to UK, Dubai and Washington
  • Technical assistance, setting up local Financial inclusion Network
  • Training of Trainers to deliver the Branch Manager Certification Programme
  • Short -term consultancy assignment