FSDA’s credit market development programme: the programme in brief

FSD Africa launched a new Credit Market Development Programme (CMDP) in July 2016. The Programme, which will run for three years, aims to support the development of credit markets across sub-Saharan Africa that are efficient, inclusive and maintain high standards of market conduct in order to expand quality access to retail and SME consumers. The development of effective credit markets will, in turn, contribute to financial sector development, economic growth and job creation. The rate of credit market growth depends on a number of factors. At a country level, credit markets are often undermined by weak regulatory frameworks, low levels of enforcement and insufficient market infrastructure. Such weaknesses breed predatory lending practices and increasing levels of debt stress which, if left unattended, result in increased risk to consumers. In creating an effective legal and institutional framework that supports robust market growth, it is necessary to strike a realistic balance between increased and more inclusive credit supply on the one hand and effective oversight over market conduct and consumer protection on the other.