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.
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.
Ahead of launching the FinScope South Africa Consumer Survey 2024 at the upcoming Responsible Finance Forum 2025 in Johannesburg, guest authors from FinMark Trust provide a historical perspective on the survey’s first 20 years.
Gender champions and allies are reshaping finance to empower women. Explore how FinMark Trust drives change and how you can support gender equity in financial systems.
This workshop spotlighted the critical role of gender-disaggregated data in shaping effective financial inclusion strategies. Without this data, women's financial realities remain invisible, leading to policies and products that miss the mark.
We're excited to have partnered with Women’s World Banking to host a special G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) Side Event, spotlighting the progress and challenges of financial inclusion across Africa.
Our 2024 Annual Report highlights our commitment to driving meaningful change beyond traditional financial inclusion. With a focus on real impact, we are working towards building a more inclusive financial system that empowers and uplifts our region.
The MSME sector remains a vital source of income, especially for women and young people, despite changes since 2017 due to global challenges. MSMEs have grown by 18%, many remain informal, and business support services are underused.
The Government of Eswatini recognises the MSME sector’s role in strengthening the business climate and creating jobs, with the 2023 Blended FinScope MSME survey tracking changes since the 2017 baseline study to identify key growth opportunities.
The 2023 Eswatini MSME Launch Deck explores key findings from the survey, covering topics such as business insights, support and resilience to shocks, access to financial services, and an overview of financial inclusion.
The FinScope MSME Lesotho 2023 pocket guide highlights key insights on adoption of financial technologies, financial inclusion effectiveness, and the suitability of financial products and services for MSMEs.
Lesotho's MSME sector grew 41% since 2016. Discover latest trends in financial inclusion, access, usage, and Covid-19 impacts in this presentation
The 2024 SADC Financial Inclusion Forum featured discussions on digital payments, regulatory frameworks, and innovation, promoting collaboration to enhance financial inclusion and regional investment opportunities.
Africa loses $88.6 billion annually to illicit financial flows, harming development. Financial inclusion can combat this by promoting transparency, reducing unregulated channels, and supporting economic growth.
UN Women has published an analysis of the current status of financial inclusion in SADC countries, with inputs from the SADC Secretariat and FinMark Trust. Read the factsheet.
The UN Women report titled “Her Finance, Her Future – Building Stronger Economies One Woman at a Time” explores the status of financial inclusion in SADC, focusing on women's access to and use of financial services.
FinMark Trust is proud to have contributed to this comprehensive report. Download the Financial Inclusion and Gender in SADC Sub-region Status Report for the statistical findings.
Key stakeholders from across South Africa convened in Cape Town from 29–30 October 2024 for the "Sustainable Livelihoods Roundtable Discussion,"
From 2 to 5 September, our CEO, Brendan Pearce, joined the Forum in San Salvador, moderating a session on using innovation and AI to support women-owned informal businesses, and sharing insights on data's role in financial inclusion.
At the 2024 SARB Payments Conference, it was stressed that financial inclusion starts with access but must lead to active use for it to make a real difference.
The presentation by Abel Motsomi, Senior Data and Analytics Specialist at FinMark Trust covers the latest findings tracks the progress of sector developments and financial inclusion in South Africa using the FinScope MSME 2020 as a benchmark.
Johannesburg, 16 September 2024 – The FinScope MSME South Africa 2024 Survey, launched recently in a virtual event hosted by FinMark Trust, provides critical insights into the evolving Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector
The launch of the FinScope MSME South Africa 2024 results unveiled the most recent insights into the key challenges and advancements in financial inclusion and sector development for MSMEs in South Africa.
This webinar covers strategies to improve digital payments in Tembisa and Hammanskraal, highlighting the challenges these communities face and detailing the planned interventions to overcome them.
The presentation covers financial inclusion levels, access and usage trends, drivers and barriers, and the impact of COVID-19. FinScope aims to foster evidence-based dialogue for effective interventions to enhance financial inclusion in Malawi.
The 2023 year survey shows financial inclusion has increased, with a significant drop in financial exclusion from 51% in 2014 to 12% in 2023, largely due to the rapid adoption of mobile money services.
The report highlights key survey findings, comparing national-level data to the 2014 survey results to track indicators and trends. It offers a full analysis, disaggregated by gender, age and location.
Este guia resume as conclusões do estudo de diagnóstico para apoiar o desenvolvimento de programas específicos de género para a inclusão financeira das mulheres nestes corredores.
Cross-border remittances fuel livelihoods in the SADC region. This guide summarises key findings from the diagnostic study to support the development of gender-specific programmes for women’s financial inclusion in these corridors.
The media extensively reported on the insights of the FinScope Consumer South Africa 2023 report. You can find links to most of the TV, radio, and news reports here.
Lesotho has made remarkable strides in financial inclusion, with 87% of its population having access to formal financial services in 2021. This commendable achievement positions the country among the most financially inclusive in the region.
This year's findings highlight the financial challenges in South Africa, with 40% of adults borrowing money for food and 20 million adults experiencing electricity cuts due to affordability in the past year.
The presentation of results by Jabulani Khumalo - Senior Data and Analytics Specialist, a keynote address by Dr. Pali Lehohla, and a panel discussion with experts Kershia Singh, Dr. Thabang Chiloane, and Pamela Ramagaga.
FinMark Trust launches its annual FinScope Consumer South Africa 2023 results today through a virtual webinar. This year's findings highlight the pressing financial challenges South Africans are facing.
Our Annual Report shares our progress in advancing beyond traditional financial inclusion to bring about lasting change focussed on real impact. We're working to create a more inclusive financial system for our region.
This report delves into the experiences of women in the South Africa to Lesotho corridor. It addresses crucial data gaps, aiding in targeted support for digital payments in Southern Africa.
This report delves into the experiences of women in the South Africa to Malawi corridor. It addresses crucial data gaps, aiding in targeted support for digital payments in Southern Africa.
This report delves into the experiences of women in the South Africa to Mozambique corridor. It addresses crucial data gaps, aiding in targeted support for digital payments in Southern Africa.
Este relatório explora as experiências das mulheres no corredor da África do Sul para Moçambique. Ele aborda lacunas críticas de dados, auxiliando no suporte direcionado para pagamentos digitais no Sul da África.
Explore Zimbabwe's mobile money evolution, challenges and economic impact with our guide. Drawing on 2018-2021 data, this publication delves into the milestones, regulations and societal effects of mobile money services, and more.
In the beginning, there was the bank account – a useful dispenser of transactional services. More recently, however, the financial services industry innovated and introduced mobile money as a disruptive financial service.
The South African informal sector is a vibrant thread, pulsating with entrepreneurial energy. Valued at almost $10 billion annually and representing 17% of the country’s total employment.
Explore the impact of cross-border remittances from South Africa to Zimbabwe. The IOM commissioned this in-depth study to examine the role of cross-border remittances in households in Zimbabwe.
Formal financial and economic inclusion remains pivotal in addressing the rampant inequality in many African economies today.
The modern world has moved towards digitisation, yet a significant gap remains in terms of financial and economic inclusion, particularly in Africa. Despite this, there is a substantial opportunity to harness the power of data to bridge this gap.
Offre un résumé complet des perspectives précieuses et des discussions stimulantes partagées lors de la conférence. Le rapport comprend des interviews post-événement avec certains de nos principaux parties prenantes.
Offers a comprehensive summary of the valuable insights and thought-provoking discussions shared during the conference. The report features post-event interviews with some of our key stakeholders.
Apresenta um resumo abrangente das perspectivas valiosas e das discussões instigantes compartilhadas durante a conferência. O relatório inclui entrevistas pós-evento com alguns dos nossos principais intervenientes.
The FinScope Tanzania 2023 report highlights key survey findings, comparing national-level data to the 2017 survey results to track indicators and trends. It offers a full analysis, disaggregated by gender, age and location.
For an overview of the key insights from the FinScope Tanzania 2023 survey results, review the one-page summary provided here.
The FinScope Consumer Survey provides reliable benchmarks on financial inclusion in Angola, these findings benefit various sectors, with the aim of improving the lives of Angolan individuals.
O guia de bolso da Pesquisa do Consumidor FinScope Angola 2022 é uma referência confiável para a inclusão financeira em Angola. É um recurso valioso para o desenvolvimento de estratégias eficazes com base em evidências empíricas.
Families' access to financial resources is crucial for building thriving communities and fostering economic growth. Remittances, as a vital source of income, provide millions of people with the means to meet their basic needs.
Jabulani Khumalo, our Data and Analytics Specialist and lead on the FinScope Consumer South Africa 2022 survey results joins John Maytham on the Afternoon Drive on Cape Talk to discuss the findings of the survey.
YouFM interviewed Jabulani Khumalo on the latest FinScope Consumer South Africa 2022 survey results, focussing on the cost of living for South African consumers. Listen to the interview here.
‘South Africans are borrowing so much that now we are borrowing food’ - Obert was interviewed on Phalaphala FM
The latest FinScope Consumer Survey shows the main reason for borrowing money in 2022 was to pay for living expenses, specifically food and groceries.
The launch will be presented in two parts, the first of which will be a presentation of the survey's top-line findings. A series of breakaway sessions will follow, where participants will be invited to interact with the data in greater depth.
How can we support those working in the informal sector?
Financial Services as a Tool for Building Resilience: In the face of climate change and energy crisis shocks
Do we need to do more in terms of educating people about the risks of cash and the benefits of electronic payments?
In 2022, FinMark Trust continued to make progress in our efforts to improve the lives of the poor by prioritising inclusive growth and the development of sustainable livelihoods. Read more in our 2022 annual report.
Twenty years ago, when FinMark Trust was established, we took the dream of making financial markets work for the poor and turned it into reality. Join us as we reflect on this journey, with key milestones highlighted in our digital journal.
This summary guide of the report on the state of the digital payments ecosystem in South African townships (Hammanskraal and Tembisa) shares key insights and recommendations from research conducted in 2022.
Provide an in-depth understanding of community needs and attitudes vis-à-vis financial services, digital services, community structures and support services.
The Ghana Demand Side Survey 2021 provides credible benchmarks on the level of financial inclusion and, using empirical evidence, guides focused and targeted financial inclusion strategies.
The financial sector conducted the FinScope Zimbabwe 2022 Consumer Survey for the third time in a row. This repeat survey provides credible benchmarks for the extent and quality of financial inclusion.
The main presentation covers all of the top-line findings for Zimbabwe 2022. With 115 slides of insightful information, we evaluate trends, changes, and interventions over time starting from 2014.
FinScope consumer surveys offer insights into people's financial needs, preferences, and behaviour. It does not attempt to replicate the work of censuses or other annual surveys.
A comprehensive overview of the key findings from the survey that describes the levels and landscape of access, usage and quality of financial products and services, (both formal and informal), tracking the level of financial access since 2012.
A presentation on the assessment of the size and scope of individual entrepreneurs and owners of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Zimbabwe 2022, focusing on their financial service needs.
Past and present leaders of FinMark Trust discuss our beginnings, our impact and our plans to continue encouraging financial markets to work for the poor.
This pocket guide highlights key findings from the market assessment of remittance flows into and out of South Africa using SARB data and a mystery shopping exercise looking at the costs of remitting via various channels, from South Africa.
FinMark Trust conducted a market assessment of remittance flows into and out of South Africa using SARB data and a mystery shopping exercise looking at the costs of remitting via various channels, from South Africa to other countries in the SADC.
To celebrate this milestone in our own development – and for the development of the financial inclusion landscape over the past 20 years, we will be hosting a series of webinars.
Sharing what the latest prices across various channels are – and discussing some of the most prominent developments in the market with experts from the field.
FinScope South Africa Consumer 2021 Results - Webinar
Presentation on sharing the most recent prices across various channels – as well as addressing some of the market's most significant changes with experts from the field.
This year saw us implementing what we call Financial Inclusion 2.0 to ensure better real sector outcomes for the poor and women in the region. Read more in our 2021 annual report
Throughout this year, we will be documenting our journey to date – and making this public for others to learn from.
Lesotho has seen a significant increase in financial inclusion since 2011. The FinScope Consumer Survey Lesotho 2021 report provides financial inclusion statistics, analyses, insights, and proposed recommendations to improve the lives of Basotho.
The brochure summarises and highlights the FinScope Consumer Survey Lesotho 2021 report's findings. It serves as a quick reference guide to the key statistics and insights.
The road to the Olympics for a young woman in the country is fraught with hurdles, though. To unpack why, consider the hurdles a young woman who is an aspiring Olympic athlete must overcome,
How much do South Africans spend on funeral insurance? Our South Africa Programme Specialist, Phumelele Ngcobo, was on Ukhozi FM to discuss funeral insurance in South Africa.
Are we spending too much on funeral insurance? Our head of the South Africa Programme, Lesego Mashigo, reflects on the insights of our latest research on the industry in South Africa.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu performed one last act of leadership in requesting a pine casket, igniting the long-overdue national conversation on what it means to be buried with dignity.
Impact of Covid-19 and Social unrest a double blow for MSMEs - FinScope uses data to understand current challenges facing MSMEs
South Africa experienced a series of unexpected social unrest that saw many township and informal businesses destroyed or looted and malls burnt. It was like a scene from a violent movie, which graduated to loss of lives in some instances.
Botswana is moving towards the 2021 goal of reducing financial exclusion to 12% or increasing usage of more than one type of formal financial service to 57%.
Early in 2021 FinMark Trust, with support from the FCDO, set out to understand the effects of the pandemic on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Botswana with a telephonic Business Pulse survey and qualitative interviews.
Migrants have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 economic fallout. In addition to lockdowns and job losses, they struggle to access adequate support, especially for their families back home that depend on them.
Credit is key to any business – including farming. For FSPs to effectively grant credit to MSMEs, an entire ecosystem is needed. Discover what the state of the discussion is in the SADC member states.
Informal cross border trade is important to the food security, supply of basic medical goods, as well as the livelihoods of millions. Find out more about the key corridors between SA and 5 key countries.
Agriculture supports millions of people across SADC and is key in the development of the region. Discover the barriers and opportunities for FSPs participating in this space in SADC.
This agriculture scoping study focuses on eSwatini as part of the FMT initiative to design market-based interventions that result in more inclusive growth for MSMEs.