Dr. Muhammad Yunus (born 28 June 1940) is a Bangladeshi social entrepreneur, economist, and the founder of Grameen Bank, a pioneering micro‑finance institution. After earning his Ph.D. in Economics from Vanderbilt University, he returned to Bangladesh and, in 1976, began experimenting with small, collateral‑free loans to empower the rural poor, especially women. This innovative approach laid the foundation for the modern micro‑credit movement.
Under Dr. Yunus’s leadership, Grameen Bank grew into a global model for poverty alleviation, providing millions of low‑income borrowers with access to credit, fostering entrepreneurship, and facilitating community development. His work demonstrated that the poor are not merely recipients of aid but active participants in economic growth.
In recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to economic development and social welfare, Dr. Muhammad Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, sharing it with Grameen Bank. He continues to advocate for social business initiatives and sustainable development, influencing policies worldwide and inspiring countless social innovators.