Kasoga, Pendo ShukraniTegambwage, Amani GrationTamer Elshandidy2024-05-072024-05-072021-01-01Kasoga, P. S., & Tegambwage, A. G. (2021). An assessment of over-indebtedness among microfinance institutions’ borrowers: The Tanzanian perspective. Cogent Business & Management, 8(1), 1930499.URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311975.2021.1930499DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2021.1930499https://repository.udom.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12661/4518Full text Article, Also available at https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2021.1930499The introduction of microfinance institutions is viewed as the best alter native source of financial services for low-income earners as a means to raise their income and reduce poverty. However, empirical research has indicated that the majority of microfinance institutions’ borrowers are over-indebted. Over indebtedness has negative consequences for debtors, creditors, and for the economy as a whole. Since over-indebtedness is a context-specific phenomenon, it lacks universally accepted indicators. This study aims to validate indicators of over indebtedness and examine the situation of over-indebtedness among micro borrowers in the context of Tanzania. A survey of 535 micro-borrowers was con ducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive, thematic, and logistic regression techniques were employed for data analysis. Findings show that debt-to income ratio, multiple borrowing, and delinquency have a positive and significant effect on over-indebtedness. Further, findings indicate that over-indebted micro borrowers in Tanzania spend 75% or more of monthly income on servicing debts; are in the state of delinquency; are unable to meet basic needs due to loan repayment expenditure, have three or more credit commitments, and are in delin quency. To reduce over-indebtedness and hence poverty among micro-borrowers,enMicro-borrowersMicrofinance institutionsOver-indebtednessIndebtednessFinancial servicesjournal-article10.1080/23311975.2021.1930499