We have launched a COVID-19 Tracker, The survey themes include health and risk behaviours, food security, income, work and job security, personal safety concerns, and access to government and community support. www.covid19tracker.africa
The latest research, blog posts, articles, publications, videos and infographics across all our work.
Counting account access is not enough. Real financial inclusion asks whether women can make decisions, control resources and use financial services in ways that strengthen their economic agency and participation.
Financial literacy works best when grounded in everyday realities. Explore how practical learning, trusted support and digital tools can drive meaningful financial behaviour change.
Small changes, bigger opportunities: One digital payment at a time, Since opening Happy Bite Home Trading in 2013, Bathabile has built a loyal customer base by selling affordable kotas, snacks and fast food.
New FinScope South Africa 2025 findings reveal how rising living costs are reshaping borrowing, saving and financial behaviour. Read the full media release and explore the latest insights.
A look back at year one of implementation, covering key milestones, progress and lessons learned from this multi-year programme exploring digital financial inclusion in peri-urban and rural communities.
Catch up on the webinar exploring the programme's first year — building a sustainable digital financial ecosystem through digital payments as an entry point to improving livelihoods.
As South Africa marks National Savings Month, new findings from the FinScope Consumer South Africa 2025 Survey reveal that rising living costs are placing increasing pressure on household finances.
For ten years, OhsomeCakes has marked life's milestones with beautifully decorated cakes. But owner Ntswaki Mtshali faced a hidden challenge: getting paid.
Atlegang Malebye (26) started his Hammanskraal scholar transport business in 2023 with one car and four learners. Demand grew, he upgraded to a seven-seater, but as the business expanded, managing payments became his challenge.
Marking 10 years of the Forum, delegates from 14 member states convened at the SARB in Pretoria to review a decade of progress — from 50% to 75% inclusion across SADC — and chart priorities for Digital Public Infrastructure and financial health.
The Joint Policy Brief launch presentation was delivered by Dr Anthony Kaziboni, Senior Researcher at the University of Johannesburg, highlighting key findings and policy recommendations.
Watch the launch event and discussion on the role of in-person support in helping people achieve sustainable livelihoods.
Read the policy brief exploring why in-person support should be recognised as a key policy lever for improving livelihood outcomes.
Can a shared digital identity layer unlock financial access for millions across SADC? Explore why regional DPI is overdue, and why the building blocks are already in place.
Read the media release for the launch of the Joint Policy Brief on 12 June, exploring how in-person support can improve livelihood outcomes.
In 2025, FinMark Trust advanced financial inclusion beyond access, delivering evidence-based insights, empowering women and youth, strengthening communities and advancing global dialogue to build lasting resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
Explore key findings from Botswana's FinScope Consumer Survey 2024, covering financial inclusion levels, savings, credit, insurance, and mobile money usage, with insights and policy recommendations for 1.54 million adults across the country.
Explore key findings from Botswana’s FinScope MSME Survey, covering the size and scope of the sector, financial inclusion levels, business challenges, and policy recommendations for over 124,800 business owners across the country.
Botswana's MSME sector employs 175,000 people across 138,000+ businesses, but barriers like limited financing, gender inequality, and low business sophistication are holding it back. Read the full report below
Botswana has made significant strides in financial inclusion, with access increasing from 69% in 2009 to 94% in 2024, driven by mobile money, digital banking, and policy interventions that promote economic and social development.
Commemorating 10 Years of Regional Financial Inclusion, The 2026 SADC Forum marks a decade of regional financial inclusion progress, bringing together policymakers, regulators, and financial sector leaders from across Southern Africa.
Day 2 of the 2026 SADC Financial Inclusion Forum continues the conversation on advancing financial inclusion across the SADC region. View the recording below.
FinMark Trust’s CEO, Brendan Pearce, shares reflections from recent site visits to GBL pilot sites in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State.
At Jubilee Crossing in Hammanskraal, 37-year-old Praise Moeng runs her tabletop business selling Forever Living products and Inuka fragrances. What started out as a side venture in 2019 has grown into a steady source of income.
On 6 March, FinMark Trust briefed the Minister of Social Development and senior leadership from the Department, SASSA and the National Development Agency on the progress of the Generating Better Livelihoods (GBL) programme.
At 30 years old, Mbali Ncube is building more than a crochet brand – she is building confidence, resilience and opportunity in her community.
In the heart of Thembisa, a young entrepreneur named Thabang is changing what local businesses can look like in a digital economy. As the founder of The Bin Donut, Thabang has built a mobile doughnut business.
The Community Digitalisation project welcomed a World Bank delegation to Thembisa to learn more about the impact of digital tools on the community.
Explore the highlights from our webinar on e-commerce solutions for low-value cross-border trade in SADC, featuring expert insights from regional and international partners. Read the full summary.
FinMark Trust ‘going purple’ is not a once-off campaign. It is a reaffirmation of our commitment to creating safer, more equitable economic environments for women.
FinMark Trust participated in, and contributed to, the Department of Social Development’s (DSD) Policy Colloquium from 28-29 October 2025.
From 3-7 November 2025, FinMark Trust hosted BRAC, together with DSD, SASSA and NDA, to observe progress in the Generating Better Livelihoods project.
FinMark Trust shared insights at the G20 Remittances Conference on making cross-border payments in the SADC region faster, cheaper, and more inclusive.
Learn how FinMark Trust’s implementation of the GBL programme links participants to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities through the BRAC graduation model for sustainable livelihoods.
Discover how FinMark Trust is working with communities in Thembisa and Hammanskraal to expand access to digital payments and strengthen local financial ecosystems
This report offers a comprehensive analysis of South Africa–SADC remittance markets, exploring pricing, regulation, technology, and market dynamics to identify opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and promote financial inclusion.
This piece explores South Africa’s unemployment crisis vs the informal economy, highlighting income mixes that sustain households, with insights ahead of 2025 QLFS changes.
This report shares policy recommendations to strengthen South Africa’s informal sector, enhancing competitiveness, resilience and inclusion for informal enterprises.
The SADC Committee of Central Bank Governors, FinMark Trust and Co-Develop have announced a strategic partnership to build a federated electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) ecosystem spanning 16 member states.
Despite driving 80% of employment in Sub-Saharan Africa, most MSMEs struggle to access formal credit—hindering their growth, innovation, and ability to create jobs. Read more to explore how unlocking finance can change this.
FinMark Trust presented key progress updates and insights from the Generating Better Livelihoods for Grant Recipients project during a national strategic planning session hosted by the Department of Social Development on 29–30 July 2025.
At a G20 Finance Track side event co-hosted by the South African Reserve Bank and BIS’s CPMI, Our CEO, Brendan Pearce, shared insights on regional remittances and improving cross-border payments.
The FinScope MSME Lesotho 2023 Report provides key insights into financial inclusion trends, the impact of Covid-19, and the effectiveness of financial technologies and products in meeting the needs of MSMEs.
This assessment summarises the impacts observed from the completed SIBE (Support to Improving the Investment and Business Environment) Programme.
The FinScope SA 2024 results highlighted key financial inclusion trends ahead of the 2025 Responsible Finance Forum.
SASSA has submitted videos to the 2025 International Social Security Video Festival, showcasing how grant recipients in the FinMark Trust-led Generating Better Livelihoods project are using social benefits, mentorship to improve their livelihoods.
SASSA has submitted videos to the 2025 International Social Security Video Festival, showcasing how grant recipients in the FinMark Trust-led Generating Better Livelihoods project are using social benefits, mentorship to improve their livelihoods.
As one of the learning partners of the Responsible Finance Forum 2025 by Center for Financial Inclusion by Accion, FinMark Trust hosted a field visit with stakeholders to the Digitalising Incomes for Informal and Low-Income Workers (TIPS) project.
During her visit to South Africa, Her Majesty Queen Máxima @UNSGSA joined a focus group from Hammanskraal hosted by FinMark Trust on 21 May 2025.
Johannesburg, 20 May 2025, FinMark Trust releases the 2024 results of its annual FinScope Consumer South Africa study, revealing a stark reality: despite high levels of financial inclusion, millions of South Africans are struggling to make ends meet.