Our Partners
YEMEN
Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the Arab world. Its population has reportedly averaged 3.5% annual growth between 2000 and 2006. Yemen is struggling to control excessive spending and rampant corruption and is dependent on foreign aid to finance its budget deficits and development projects. Unemployment is 35%, and 45% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Most of Yemen’s rural populace – about 70% of its total population - relies on subsistence agriculture in a harsh desert climate. Access to credit through MFIs is one among several key elements that will promote increases in the incomes of poor rural households.
Yemen Women’s Union – Abyan Governorate (Abyan)
Yemen Women’s Union – Abyan Governorate (Abyan): Abyan began its lending operations in October 2003 under the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and joined Grameen-Jameel in February 2007. Its mission is to “Improve the income of the poor families in Abyan governorate specially women through introducing financial services for the clients.”
Abyan works in five districts in the Abyan governorate of Yemen, which is located in the south near Aden port. The population of the governorate is about 700,000, and it is largely inhabited by the Bedouin.
Abyan’s exclusive loan offering is a solidarity group loan, which is accompanied by a compulsory savings program. All of Abyan’s clients are women, and nearly 100% of Abyan’s staff is women, including its director. As of December 2008, Abyan reached 3,314 clients and maintained a gross loan portfolio of US $337,184. Portfolio quality is perfect and Operational Self-Sufficiency is 143%.
In addition to a US $100,000 loan that Grameen-Jameel disbursed to Abyan in January 2007, Abyan participated in SEEP FRAME Tool training and the Grameen Foundation Partner Forum. Grameen-Jameel also led a customized business planning exercise that resulted in Abyan’s first ever five-year business plan. In Q4 2008, Abyan participated in the Grameen-Jameel Dialogue for the Arab World.