Title: An empirical investigation into the risk management strategies of MFIs in Cameroon

Authors: Fidelis Akanga; Widin Bongasu Sha'ven; Ven Tauringana

Addresses: Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics, Faculty of Management, Bournemouth University, BH12-5BB, Poole, UK ' Department of Accounting, University of Leicester, UK ' Department of Accounting, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton, SO17-1BJ, UK

Abstract: This paper examines risk strategies adopted by MFIs in Cameroon. Much research on risk and especially after the financial crisis of 2007 has been based on mainstream financial institutions and ignored the contribution of risk on MFIs activities and in our societies. This study is based on 15 in depth interviews with seven managers and eight lending officers, we identified four main areas of risk concerns for MFIs in Cameroon reputational, death of a borrower, credit and institutional size risks. So as to help minimise these effects, we propose innovative and radical approaches for MFIs to take the for-profit status. It is only by MFIs taking this for-profit status that we believe that MFIs will be able to attract investors who are willing to invest within MFIs, therefore minimising the effect of risks on MFIs.

Keywords: microfinance; risk; risk management strategy; Cameroon.

DOI: 10.1504/AJAAF.2020.111729

African Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance, 2020 Vol.7 No.2, pp.155 - 171

Received: 23 Dec 2019
Accepted: 21 Mar 2020
Published online: 11 Dec 2020 *

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