About NMI

NMI Introduction

The Norwegian Microfinance Initiative (NMI) is a new and innovative strategic partnership between the Norwegian public and private sectors that will invest in microfinance institutions (MFIs) in developing countries and provide professional assistance and technical support for these institutions. The mission of NMI is to contribute to the empowerment of poor people and to the creation of jobs, wealth, and economic and social sustainability in developing countries by investing in and supporting MFIs.

NMI will make its investments through two investment funds: NMI Global Fund and NMI Frontier Fund. Professional and technical assistance will be provided through the NMI Professional Assistance Facility. Investors and strategic partners of NMI include Norfund (a development finance institution owned by the Government of Norway) and four private sector partners: Ferd, KLP, DnBNOR, and Storebrand. Each of these private sector partners has considerable experience and expertise in the financial services industry. (See NMI Partners.) Norad, Norway’s international development agency, will support NMI’s Professional Assistance Facility.

NMI’s investors have committed NOK 600 million (approximately USD 100 million) to the NMI Global Fund and the NMI Frontier Fund. The public and private sector investors have committed equal amounts of capital. Financial support for NMI’s Professional Assistance Facility will be provided separately through Norad.