Soutenir le secteur de la microfinance via les associations professionnelles : analyse du cas tanzanien à travers le prisme de la théorie des communs

Given the recent criticisms faced by the microfinance industry, orienting microfinance institutions' practices towards the achievement of their social mission is essential. We examine the intervention of a fundamental but rarely studied actor: microfinance associations. By joining a microfinance association, member microfinance institutions pool resources to collectively influence their practices and to pursue shared interests. Yet, microfinance associations have often encountered major obstacles that undermine their contributions. Based on qualitative research conducted at the Tanzanian microfinance association, we study the main reasons behind free riding among member microfinance institutions, and the potential obstacles to the 'ideal' management of such an association through the lens of Ostrom's institutional design principles. On this basis, we provide a theoretical contribution identifying the main questions that microfinance associations should ask themselves, and identifying interdependencies among these.