The Development Gateway is an independent not-for-profit organization. It was conceived by World Bank President James Wolfensohn and initially developed in the World Bank. Operations began in July 2001. The aim is to help improve people’s lives in developing countries by building partnerships and information systems that provide access to knowledge for development. The Development Gateway exploits powerful and affordable information and communication technologies (ICT) that were previously unavailable to:
Increase knowledge sharing;
Enhance development effectiveness;
Improve public sector transparency; and
Build local capacity to empower communities.
The Development Gateway currently concentrates its knowledge-sharing efforts on certain topics, one of which is microfinance.