On April 26-27, 2023, the Global Digital Development Forum was held online, co-organized by USAID, Chemonics, IBM, Deloitte, DAI, Google, RTI International, Save the Children, Interledger Foundation, Bixal, Palladium, and TechChange. While the event has now passed, anyone who is interested can still register here to access recorded sessions. All of the recorded sessions are […]

The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) started its podcast show, Capital Musings, in September 2019 to platform individuals driving impact and change in the area of “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources to reduce poverty and support local economic development. All episodes can be found the Capital Musings website. While every […]

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 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. […]

This case study examines two digital savings group solutions – Mvend and SAVE – promoted within UNCDF’s REFAD program in Rwanda. These solutions were adopted by REFAD partners to expand financial inclusion and improve resilience in refugee camps and host communities in Rwanda. The case study discusses some of the successes, enablers, and impediments on […]

This learning brief examines the design options and essential tradeoffs in solution development based on a survey of 12 digital savings group (DSG) solution providers. The findings are outlined in six sections: 1) Introduction; 2) The benefits of savings groups; 3) User experience; 4) The business of DSGs; 5) Consumer protection, and 6) What will […]

The purpose of this training guide is to prepare mobile money agents and digital literacy change agents to educate people in their communities about the benefits of mobile money services and how to use them. The guide has seven modules with clear lesson plans and guidance for trainers. Participants will learn about the different ways […]