Microfinance and Rural Poverty Alleviation: A Reality?

Abstract

It is a truism that if Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) play their expected role, poverty will reduce and there will be more employment opportunity and adequate economic development particularly in the rural areas. Poverty is more devastating in Sub-Saharan Africa than the rest of the world. This paper examines the contributions of microfinance towards the rural poverty reduction. To achieve this objective, the study adopted multi-stage random sampling technique to collect primary data through the structured questionnaire. A total sample of 1,134 microfinance loan beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries were used as respondents from three (Ogun, Osun and Oyo states) out of six states in South- West Nigeria. Statistical Percentage Techniques were used to describe the characteristics of the sample from the study. The results revealed that microfinance has marginal effects on the rural poor in Southwest Nigeria. Policy makers are advised to provide adequate infrastructural facilities that will encourage MFIs to establish branches in the rural areas. MFIs should endeavor to create more awareness to the rural poor with realistic loan procedure that will encourage the poor to access microcredit loan.Keywords: Economic Development; Poverty; Microfinance Institutions; rural poor; Nigeria.

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