Microfinance is private companies making very small loans to poor people, to assist them in setting up small businesses as a way out of poverty. They often offer the money along with classes in how to manage the loans responsibly. It’s been successful in poor countries.
Thanks. I think it came up once before here on FreeRepublic and I forgot what it meant. I can’t remember the context but I think it was Africans trying to develop some kind of business, like basket weaving or something.