About Us

The Micro Lenders Association of Namibia (MLA/ the Association) was established on 4 July 1998 in Windhoek to act as representative for the Micro Lending Industry in Namibia in consultations with the Ministry of Finance and the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA) to establish legislation for the industry.

The MLA has since its inception been the only recognized representative of the Micro Lending Industry in Namibia.

The MLA also represents the industry in consultations with other relevant organizations, the Bank of Namibia (BON), Financial Literacy Initiative (FLI), Namibia Financial Services Sector Charter (NFSSC), SADC Micro Finance and commercial banks to develop products or services utilized by the Industry.

An electronic payment system called EnDO’s development was initiated and based upon the original business requirements for an efficient, non-preferential payment system that would cater for all layers of the Namibian economy, as compiled by the MLA, subsequent and in reply to the issuing of PSD7 by BoN. The MLA has been playing a continuous, constructive role in the development of EnDO through its’ involvement in the process, by:

1. MLA Management Committee representatives, as well as associated members, forming an integral and very prominent part of all discussions, workgroups and workshops in the design process;
2. The MLA being a member of the Payment Stakeholder Forum (PSF), a statutory sub-committee of PAN, representing the non-banks in the Namibian National Payment System, and in this forum supplying the current Chairman, Mr Pieter Swanepoel (a MLA associated member), and the Vice-Chairman Mr. David Lewies(a MLA Management Committee Member), as well as the PSF Chairman Mr Pieter Swanepoel becoming an ex officio member of the PAN Management Council (PMC);
3. Mr. David Lewies, A MLA Management Committee Member, being a member of the EFT Enhancement Steering Committee (EFT SteerCo), the body overseeing the implementation of a series of enhancements in the NPS, including the implementation of EnDO, since inception.

The MLA has a very reputable and experienced legal team that gives guidance to the MLA and its members on legal matters concerning our industry.

The MLA is managed on a day to day basis by the Management Committee that is elected annually from its members at the Annual General Meeting of the Association.