In urban areas across the developing world, microfinance is on the rise. But for the significantly larger rural populations, microfinance is a rare commodity. Why? In short, it's because the costs and challenges of providing microfinance to rural areas are much greater.

In the countryside, population bases are smaller and more spread out, meaning that loan officers have to travel farther to meet smaller numbers of clients. The costs to set up and maintain rural branch offices are also significantly higher as supplies and electricity are scarce.

Meeting the financial needs of rural communities is a formidable challenge. Opportunity is responding to this challenge with innovative technology such as ATMs and POS (point-of-sale) devices installed in rural markets and village shops and by providing cell phone banking to remote clients. These innovations extend reach of the bank without the cost of establishing a full bank branch. Mobile banks also help Opportunity reach even more remote areas where setting up an ATM is not feasible. Opportunity's mobile banks make weekly stops within walking distance of rural client's farms, homes and businesses, saving them valuable time and money.

Watch a video about our work in sub-Saharan Africa