Tonight we are closing the #weekofmicrocredit with the #booklaunch of #microentrepreneur & #migrant #author Chris Dahi. He will be launching his book “Bonded”. A roman about an African (#nigerian) Princess that falls in love with a guy from #Antwerp ! Celebrating #Microfinance in #Belgium with #migrantentrepreneur (at Microstart Antwerpen)
Excellent shot of European Commissioner Marianne Thyssen @europeancommission posing with our caterer & #microentrepreneur Ciprian Petcu from Adhoc! #Microfinance stands for fighting against social exclusion ! (at Microstart Antwerpen)
Shakuma Fitness workout at microStart Antwerp!
The microfinance customers made this year so special and successful.
Many of you, send me messages whether my blog would stop after the mission in Rwanda. Off course it won’t stop! Microfinance is my job but it is also my life, my lifestyle and so this blog won’t stop, my work continues.
Yesterday was the first European Microfinance Day, this initiative was developed by the European Microfinance Network (EMN) and the Microfinance Centre (MFC). The 1st European Microfinance Day (EMD), 20th October 2015, aimed at raising awareness of microfinance as a tool to fight social exclusion and unemployment in Europe. The event helped political decision makers to understand the benefits of microfinance and gave them some lines of a policy agenda for the development of the sector. It also drew the attention of European media to show how microfinance actually works in Europe. At the same time EMD showed support to European citizens, unemployed or excluded from the traditional financial sector. The event was inaugurated by her Royal Highness Queen Mathilde of Belgium.
(Photo of Queen Mathilde of Belgium, smiling at the 1st European microfinance day.)
Maria Nowak, founder of the largest microfinance agency in France, ADIE: L’association pour le droit à l’initative économique; sitting next to Queen Mathilde of Belgium.
The welcome note was given by the Belgian Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Ms Marianne Thyssen. (See below in photo.)
The speakers’ panel was composed of MEP, Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats), Dr Paul Rübig; Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Mr Pim Van Ballekom; Former President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and President of microStart, Mr Philippe Maystadt. Patrick Sapy, General Manager at microStart (YES, YES OUR CEO )and President of EMN, and Ms Lucija Popovska,
Habitat for Humanity International and Board member of the Microfinance Centre, chaired the high
level opening session for the First European Microfinance Network!
In this photo, Patrick Sapy, CEO of microStart and President of EMN sitting next to Belgian Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Ms Marianne Thyssen.
Questions raised to stakeholders were the following:
1. Is the current Microfinance definition appropriate for the sector? 2. Are the EU programmes for Microfinance conveniently designed and implemented for the sector’s needs? 3. How could the different regulatory frameworks at national level be better adapted to the development of the sector? 4. Should the EU programmes reinforce specific support measures for the provision of all the non-financial services offered by the sector?
Our CEO, had asked to select as one of the guests, a microfinance customer from the 5 microStart offices in Belgium In Antwerp, we had selected Francis Abutoh, King Franky (of Nigerian origin) owner of Shakuma Fitness. King Franky reinvented fitness by meeting African rhythms. Everyone loved Zumba Fitness and I am convinced that King Franky will conquer the world with Shakuma Fitness! He is a fighter, a great entrepreneur and definitely knows how to shaket that bum bum. Next to Shakuma fitness, he is also starting up, an African fitness fashion line. I am definitely, customer to his new urban wear collection.
Our microfinance Antwerp entrepreneur, Francis Abutoh aka King Franky, owner of Shakuma Fitness sitting next to Maria Nowak, Founder of ADIE and HRH Queen Mathilde of Belgium. He didn’t get the chance to speak to her but he sure got a good picture with her. Too bad, he didn’t get a chance to invite her to join Shakuma because I am sure she would have loved it!
The Queen seemed very happy at the event and I hope she continues to support microfinance in Belgium!
The first European microfinance day was in partnership with European Economic and Social Committee & supported by European Investment Fund, European Investment Bank, European Investment Bank Institute, The government of Luxemburg and with financial support of the European Commission.
I will miss this #microentrepreneur I used to buy 8 bottles of water a day from her to quench the thirst caused by the #malaria tablets LOL She said I boosted her business these past 14 days #Rwanda #pfunda #nyundo