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Amogh Suman

Measuring what microfinance does for borrowers

An impact assessment of microfinance built on more than 1,200 borrower interviews and conversations with over 15 CXOs, using a game-theoretic lens to explain how lenders and borrowers behave.

Sector
Microfinance
Scope
15+ CXO interviews, 1,200+ borrower interviews
My role
Research and analysis lead

The problem

The sector needed evidence, beyond loan book growth, of how microfinance changes borrowers' lives and where over-lending creates stress.

The approach

  1. Listen to the top

    Interview more than 15 CXOs across lenders to understand strategy, risk appetite and collection practice.

  2. Listen to borrowers

    Run more than 1,200 structured borrower interviews on income, use of loans, repayment and multiple borrowing.

  3. Model the incentives

    Use game theory to explain why lenders compete into over-lending and how joint liability shapes borrower choices.

  4. Recommend

    Translate findings into practical steps on underwriting, borrower protection and data sharing.

Who it served

  • Lenders

    Evidence on which practices help or hurt repayment.

  • Policy makers

    Ground-level data on borrower outcomes.

The outcome

A borrower-level evidence base and a set of recommendations on responsible lending.