ADA (Appui au développement autonome, meaning “support for independent development” in English) is an NGO specializing in microfinance. ADA provides direct technical and/or financial support to MFIs located in Africa, Asia and Latin America in order to help poor households work their way out of poverty.

Since its beginnings thirteen years ago, our little association has grown considerably: today, ADA manages an annual budget of more than three million euros and works directly with twenty-five MFIs on three continents (Africa, Asia and Latin America).These MFIs offer financial services to several hundred thousand microentrepreneurs around the world.

ADA is partner, member or founding member of numerous organisations operating in the microfinance sector.

ADA aims to encourage public/private partnerships, it spurs interest and initiates contacts between organizations within and outside the microfinance sector. Putting their capabilities together the partners create new and stronger projects which can reinforce the whole microfinance sector.
Upon request, ADA provides support-advice for NGOs or institutional organisations that wish to develop a microfinance component as part of their activities.

As a promotor of new ideas, and a pioneer in its own field, ADA is open to creating new partnerships advancing the quality and interests of the microfinance sector.

Areas of Work

ADA, as initiator of innovative concepts, identifies, tests and develops microfinance products through its capacity building programme for MFIs, likely to expand the range of inclusive financial services to low-income populations.

Research and Development

ADA identifies needs in the microfinance sector, and with its extensive network both in the North and in the South, tests, develops and implements microfinance products to meet these needs.
ADA shares its experiences with practitioners in the microfinance sector by means of publications and organising virtual debates but also through university teaching and research collaborations. ADA services all tend towards the same objective: to professionalise MFIs with the view to help their autonomy.

Capacity Building of MFIs

ADA believes in autonomy and thus develops tools to help microfinanceinstitutions (MFIs) manage their activities and professionalise their services.

Training workshops and the development of new tools in partnership are main services made available to MFIs and aiming to strengthen the microfinance sector.

Information and Awareness Raising

ADA gives importance to information and awareness activities. The purpose is not only to send awareness-raising messages but also to help clarify different aspects of microfinance, to launch partnerships and to find new funding sources, in order to help more micro-entrepreneurs. Thanks to concrete actions the entire microfinance sector gains visibility.