Making a unique contribution to our further understanding of the microfinance industry this book shows that, in some cases, microfinance can result in the disintegration of pre-existing relationships and in the disruption and destruction of the livelihoods of the poor. Exploring the impact of microfinance in one of the poorest regions of sub-Saharan Africa this book demonstrates its potential and problems and shows the complex and contradictory social and cultural environments in which projects are often located.