What to know about this Lending Partner
Kiva conducts regular, ongoing monitoring of all Lending Partners, but only posts status updates here in response to relevant, major changes at the partner.
Status update - March 2, 2021
Kiva and Al Ibdaa Palestine have agreed to end their partnership after nearly 6 years and more than $900,000 in loans raised. This partner has repaid its outstanding balance to Kiva in full, and these funds have been distributed to lenders. We thank Al Ibdaa for the years of collaboration and wish them success in their future endeavors.
Status update - June 25, 2020
Kiva has moved this Lending Partner to inactive status to reflect the fact that Al Ibdaa is not currently fundraising loans on Kiva. Kiva fully expects the partner to continue to send repayments owed to Kiva lenders as long as the partner has an outstanding balance. If and when this partner requests to fundraise again on Kiva, Kiva will first conduct any additional monitoring and due diligence tasks we believe necessary.
Status update - January 16, 2018
Kiva recently re-assessed the level of risk associated with loans from this Lending Partner. During this process, our analysts gathered updated operational and financial information about the institution, spoke with key members of the staff and analyzed the Lending Partner’s loan products. As a result, Al Ibdaa's risk rating is now listed as 1.5 stars instead of 2.5 stars. The primary reasons for this change in rating are poor portfolio quality due to insufficient operational controls and subsequent restructuring of the organization to improve the situation. While their risk rating is being lowered, Kiva analysts feel confident that Al Ibdaa's reorganization will help address the concerns found in our most recent risk assessment.
Partner description:
Alibdaa Microfinance is a microfinance institution in Palestine with the goal of increasing entrepreneurial activity, especially among women, by providing sustainable financial services. They currently work in 5 areas within the West Bank, focusing on small villages and more rural areas. Alibdaa seeks to keep their loans small in order to reach the neediest populations in Palestine. Alibdaa is also the first Palestinian MFI working in East Jerusalem, something that was made possible through a partnership with a local women's center in the city's Shuafat Refugee Camp.
A unique lending approach:
Alibdaa’s main loan product will be their Sayedati loan, a small loan which targets women who might otherwise be unable to receive loans. In addition to the Sayedati product, Alibdaa will post youth loans and business loans targeting microentrepreneurs in their first loan cycle. Alibdaa also works to provide numerous pay points and electronic payment options, ensuring that clients in rural areas do not need to travel far to make monthly repayments.