MyKRO.org recently interviewed WWB’s Africa Relationship Manager, Mariama Ashcroft, about microfinance commercialization following her presentation on the subject at Nigeria´s 3rd Annual Microfinance Conference. She explains that formalization is a strategy that allows MFIs to expand access to financial services by fully integrating into the financial system. She emphasizes the need for this integration—demand for financial services among microentrepreneurs is far greater than supply. By also identifying challenges to transformation such as capital requirements, product development, and infrastructure regulations, Mariama provides a valuable overview of the process. As she notes, commercialization is complex and involves a host of considerations—but the end results can substantially magnify an MFI’s impact. The interview culminates with Mariama’s discussion of positive trends in microfinance . Read the Interview on Microfinance Commercialization with Mariama Ashcroft