Approximately 70% of India’s 1.17 billion population lives outside major urban areas, in semi-urban towns and villages scattered throughout the country. In the last decade, government and philanthropic organizations as well as private and public companies have attempted to bring goods and services to the rural poor.  Although there have been impressive success stories, some efforts have been thwarted because of a lack of infrastructure; regional and cultural differences; inappropriate product or pricing; and, lack of quality assurance.

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have proven to be the only service providers able to reach the poor on a very large scale, catering to 20+ million households throughout India.  Their in-depth research as well as ongoing, personal relationships with credit customers has yielded incomparable insight into the BOP.  Frontier Markets has partnered with Tier 1 MFIs, to leverage their existing distribution channel to bring other, non-financial products to the field. 

We believe that improving the quality of life for the poor is a matter of educating consumers about healthcare, water and energy options and making affordable products available even in the most remote regions.