Microfinance Repayment by Women Groups in Rural Côte d’Ivoire

The main objective of this paper is to highlight the positive features of the rural microfinance that can reduce the high default rate in Côte d’Ivoire. Through a regression analysis, it was discovered that the percentage of women borrowers has a negative effect on portfolio at risk in terms of the measurement of the level of repayment. Lending to women can induce higher repayment rate due to the conservative nature of women’s investment and lower the risk of moral hazard. Women are thus, considered as consistently better in promptness and reliable in settling payments. The study also shows that the strong natural social ties among rural community members is a significant advantage to set up the well celebrated group lending scheme. Reputation, good faith and level of debt capacity are considered as factors that determine the creditworthiness of a borrower.