On 19-20 January 2020, the General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in coordination with the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ICCIA) hosted the “Workshop on spreading the Family Bank Experience in the G5 Sahel Countries” in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Workshop brought together delegates of the G5 Sahel countries with representatives from international organizations, OIC institutions, academics and private sector to discuss the positive experience of the Family Bank in Sudan, and the ways and means in which the Family Bank practice can be effectively expanded to the G5 Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger). The Workshop provided a platform to review the strengths and weaknesses of the Family Bank including methods of microfinancing, relevant and necessary policy interventions, and amongst others knowledge and experience sharing between Member States and OIC institutions.

Mr. Kaan Namli, Researcher from SESRIC made a presentation about the social impact of microfinance for the development of the OIC Member States with a focus on the G5 Sahel countries. SESRIC representative during his presentation provided information on the common challenges the family institution and women across the OIC Member States are facing, especially financial obstacles hindering their development and progress with a special attention to the G5 Sahel countries of the OIC.

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