IFC: Microfinance Sector Study in Lebanon
Comprehensive national study of the microfinance sector, examining market demand, access to finance, and the gap between the financing needs of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and available credit. The study assessed borrowing needs and preferences, barriers to accessing finance, differences across enterprise segments, and the particular challenges facing women-led, youth-led, and informal businesses. It also examined the supply-side context and current microfinance market structure and estimated the potential size of unmet MSME credit demand to inform future sector development strategies.
Methodology: Desk research and secondary-data analysis. CATI survey of 405 MSMEs. Nine Key Informant Interviews with microfinance institutions, development finance institutions, donors and other sector stakeholders. Two Focus Group Discussions with 20 enterprise representatives.
