Les Institutions De La Microfinance Entre La Responsabilité Sociale Et La Performance Financière: Cas Des Associations De Micro-Crédits

Abstract

In recent years, microfinance becomes an engine of social and solidarity economy. The success of the microfinance sector and the media attention it generated as a tool to fight against poverty. It has increased the interest in the sector and attracted a number of private players (banks and investment funds) for which the financial profitability is crucial. This trend has enabled the sector to continue to grow and be more professional. Yet today this sector is subject to severe criticism on the risk of drifts of its institutions as over-indebtedness of clients and academic questions about the real impact of microcredit. The maturity of microfinance calls for growth and mastered firmly based on core principles (financial inclusion, customer protection, appropriate services etc.) in order to guard against the excesses of excessive commercialization which would be driven solely by the profit motive (financial profitability). Currently, microfinance institutions must demonstrate not only their reliability, cost efficient, their corporate and social responsibility. So complementarily between financial return and social performance is necessary for the sustainability of MFIs. Thus, a strong financial performance allows MFIs to have the capacity to pursue social objectives, and conversely, achieving social goals also improves profitability.