This report showcases data-driven insights on the ways in which digital financial services, skills, and trust impact equitable and inclusive participation in the digital economy. Findings in the report show that initiatives must address the knowledge, confidence and trust needed for individuals to use the technology and services more effectively; programs are most effective when […]

The Center for Financial Inclusion held the 8th annual Financial Inclusion Week (FIW) on October 17-20, 2022. This year’s forum convened actors in the field of inclusive finance to share ideas and research under the theme “Inclusive Growth in a Digital Era.” All sessions are available on the FIW website. While every session is informative, […]

Under its global strategy of Leaving No One Behind in the Digital Era, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) promotes digital financial services (DFS) as foundational to inclusive social and economic development. In Tanzania, UNCDF’s work under the Kigoma Joint Programme (KJP) highlights the evolution from financial inclusion to inclusive digital economies. KJP interventions […]

This article summarizes the findings from the Feed the Future Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement (ADVANCE II) project in Ghana, focusing on the impact of the project on Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and women’s empowerment. In partnership with the Mobile Telephone Network (MTN), ADVANCE II registered four VSLAs in Ghana’s northern region […]

This learning brief offers critical reflections on whether a savings group in the Uganda refugee response is ready to go digital, on the objectives for pursuing digitisation/digitalisation, and on key challenges in making the shift. The brief was developed by Uganda Learning, Evidence, Accountability, and Research Network (U-Learn) in collaboration with the Uganda Inter-Agency Cash […]

This special report, by AFI’s Digital Financial Services Working Group, examines the role of digital financial services (DFS) in enhancing and sustaining the access, use, and overall quality of financial services for women. The report includes a comprehensive analysis of the current body of knowledge and case studies of countries that have accelerated DFS policy […]

This article discusses the main findings from a qualitative assessment of Savings at the Frontier (SatF) projects in Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia, implemented in 2015-2022 and funded by the Mastercard Foundation. The program sought to bridge the gap between formal financial services and informal savings groups, enabling members to access the financial services that best […]

This article discusses the 2021 edition of the Global Findex, the worldwide measurement of financial inclusion published by the World Bank Group. Specifically, the article highlights two major trends in the data: the growth in digital payments during the COVID-19 pandemic and the relationship between digital payment adoption and the use of other financial services. […]