Ict for Business Services: the Case of Ugandan Microfinance Institutions

In this research we investigated the extent to which Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) use ICT to deliver business services and train staff. We performed literature review on ICT for business service delivery and staff skills development in MFIs. We next investigated the actual ICT usage by MFIs in Uganda with focus on ICT literacy, business applications, and planning. We used questionnaires to gather data from Microfinance institutions covering three districts of Uganda. The data collected from the survey was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The analysis results indicate that the usage of ICT in microfinance business is still low. The usage is fair in business process automation but none in professional skills enhancement through e-learning. Based on our findings from this research we conclude that there is need to experiment e-learning for professional skills development in Ugandan microfinance institutions. Furthermore, research is needed to test the level of computer technology acceptance in microfinance business.