Environmental performance of African microfinance institutions: using the Green Performance Agenda framework to assess and build the business case for sustainability

Natalia Agathou; Geert Jan Schuite

doi:10.3362/1755-1986.2015.021

Environmental performance of African microfinance institutions: using the Green Performance Agenda framework to assess and build the business case for sustainability

This paper introduces the Green Performance Agenda framework to investigate the environmental management component of the microfinance sector in southern and eastern Africa. The application of the framework reveals valuable insights on the environmental performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in both regions, their ambition and vision on their future performance, and the underlying challenges the sector faces as it embarks on a ‘green’ trajectory. For the majority of the MFIs, in both regions, there is a self-defined need to be more advanced and even to fully integrate environmental aspects into their daily financial operations. The specific environmental elements they should emphasize vary depending on their portfolio, their geographical location and their stakeholders’ expectations.

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