Kolkata, 10 December, 2025: The Association of Microfinance Institutions – West Bengal (AMFI-WB) organized the 10th Edition of Eastern India Microfinance Summit 2025 in association with MFIN and Sa-Dhan, and supported by Equifax as Knowledge Partner and M2i as Research Partner, at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium, Alipore, in Kolkata. This year the theme of the Summit was Reimagining Microfinance towards Viksit Bharat.
India has set for itself an ambitious and transformative vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047—Viksit Bharat. Central to this aspiration is inclusive growth that reaches every household, especially low-income families and women borrowers. Microfinance plays a pivotal role in bridging this gap by ensuring equitable access to financial services for communities often excluded from mainstream finance.
However, the past year and a half have tested the microfinance sector with repayment challenges, concerns around over-indebtedness, and pandemic aftershocks. Despite these pressures, the sector has demonstrated remarkable adaptability—strengthening guardrails, reinforcing responsible practices, and aligning more closely with evolving regulations of the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India.
The theme of this year’s summit — “Reimagining Microfinance towards Viksit Bharat” — centred around three interconnected pillars that collectively shape the future trajectory of the microfinance sector. Recovery remains a critical priority as institutions continue to rebound from the disruptions of COVID-19, workforce attrition, and portfolio stress. The sector is steadily regaining momentum by rebuilding stronger operational systems, enhancing staff capacity, and re-establishing confidence within borrower communities. Equally vital is the pillar of Protecting Borrowers, which reinforces the foundational responsibility of microfinance to safeguard client welfare. Strengthened compliance frameworks, greater transparency, and robust client protection mechanisms are ensuring that credit is extended in a responsible and ethical manner, thereby minimizing the risks of over-indebtedness and ensuring that financial support genuinely improves household resilience. The third pillar, Inspiring Investor Confidence, underscores the indispensable role of funders in sustaining sectoral stability and growth. With clearer regulatory guidance, stronger governance practices, and improved institutional resilience, the microfinance sector continues to demonstrate its credibility and long-term viability, positioning itself as a dependable and attractive segment within the financial services industry.
The 10th Eastern India Microfinance Summit 2025 provided an important platform for collaboration among MFIs, banks, fintechs, investors, regulators, and civil society to shape a resilient, people-centric microfinance ecosystem aligned with India’s development goals.
The Inaugural Session deliberated on:
• Aligning microfinance with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
• Advancing women’s economic empowerment through microfinance.
• Integrating savings, insurance, and social protection to promote household resilience.
• Future policy and regulatory landscapes for a mature, responsible microfinance sector.
Session 1: Strengthening Trust and Borrower Protection through Compliance with Guardrails/Sankalp
Session Overview: Trust is the foundation of microfinance. The sector has faced skepticism, but the introduction of Guardrails/Sankalp has helped rebuild trust, ensuring responsible lending and improved client well-being.
Session 2: Re-designing Microfinance for Achieving Viksit Bharat Goal
Session Overview: As India progresses towards Viksit Bharat, microfinance must evolve beyond traditional group-lending models. The session focuses on reimagining products, technology integration, HR systems, and enhanced service frameworks.
Session 3: Building a Safe Credit Ecosystem for Low-Income Borrowers through Shared Responsibility
Session Overview: Rapid expansion of retail lending has raised debt stress concerns. A shared responsibility framework across regulators, lenders, fintechs, and customers is essential to safeguard low-income households.
Conclusion: The 10th Eastern India Microfinance Summit 2025 is expected to bring together key stakeholders to reflect on challenges, share insights, and co-create a robust, responsible, and future-ready microfinance ecosystem that aligns strongly with the national aspirations of Viksit Bharat.
The Association of Microfinance Institutions – West Bengal (AMFI – WB): The Association of Microfinance Institutions – West Bengal (AMFI – WB) is an institution which endeavors to promote and develop microfinance in the state of West Bengal. Founded as a self-regulatory organization, and registered as a Public Charitable Trust in 2010, AMFI-WB encompasses a community of microfinance organizations that operate in West Bengal. https://amfi-wb.org/
