Lafarge launches ‘Housing Microfinance Academy’ in India

 Building materials major Lafarge has recently launched the Indian chapter of ‘Housing Microfinance Academy’ in Mumbai. Introduced in 2014, the academy will enhance availability of housing credits for the low-to-middle income segment and promote the exchange of information about potential product design, provide funding support and construction designs. The ‘Housing Microfinance Academy’ initiative was launched in partnership with International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. As part of this association, Lafarge and IFC are organising workshop sessions of the Housing Microfinance Academy across the globe; which started with Kenya last year. There are plans to have these academies in more countries in the coming months. François Perrot, Director Affordable Housing, Lafarge, and Friedemann Roy, Global Product Lead Housing Finance-IFC inaugurated the Housing Microfinance Academy in Mumbai.  Speaking on the occasion, François Perrot, Director Affordable Housing, Lafarge, stated, “Microfinance has to be regarded as a business in order to be sustainable; while also creating a positive social impact. Lafarge’s Housing Microfinance model is tailored to local conditions and has been successfully implemented to date in more than 10 countries. As an involved actor, Lafarge plays two critical roles; namely, providing construction technical assistance to the low-income borrowers and connecting them to our network of reliable building materials retailers. Lafarge’s technical support and network with material supplying retailers help reduce the risk for microfinance organisations.”

10