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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
This agriculture scoping study focuses on Botswana as part of the FMT initiative to design market-based interventions that result in more inclusive growth for MSMEs.
This agriculture scoping study focuses on Malawi as part of the FMT initiative to design market-based interventions that result in more inclusive growth for MSMEs.
This agriculture scoping study focuses on Lesotho as part of the FMT initiative to design market-based interventions that result in more inclusive growth for MSMEs.
South Africa and Eswatini Remittances Corridor Diagnostic, this report is a compilation of research findings to inform the implementation of the IFAD’s Financial Inclusion and Cluster Development (FINCLUDE) programme in Eswatini.
The objectives of FinScope Botswana 2020 were to understand the adult population in terms of, Livelihoods and how they generate their income, financial needs and demands, financial perceptions, demographic and geographic distribution.
The study aimed to review the impact of the switch from the KYC approach to the risk-based approach on financial inclusion.
South Africa has implemented a shift from a rules-based approach to anti-money laundering and combating terrorist financing (AML/CTF) to a risk-based approach (RBA), a move that came into effect with the amendment to the Financial Intelligence Act.
Although women’s achievements, resilience and innovations exhibited during the Covid-19 pandemic are worth acknowledging, women continue to face various barriers.
This blog shares updates on the launched Income Relief Fund for Migrants to provide short term relief to SADC migrants and their families with support from FCDO
The Great Reset has happened. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the inflection point with systemic effects that affect how people live their lives
This report reviews the implementation of the 2014 MAP Eswatini diagnostic, considers market changes, and identifies financial inclusion interventions to grow the economy
This report reviews the implementation of the 2016 MAP Zimbabwe diagnostic, considers market changes, and identifies financial inclusion interventions to grow the economy
Three ventures from Botswana and Tanzania present solutions that address financial inclusion across the SADC region. Watch their investor pitches and product demonstrations
With sustainability of data collection in mind, the i2i has set out to test whether or not mobile tech could be used to offer faster and more cost-effective collection.
This scoping study has been conducted to identify the barriers and opportunities to enable affordable digital delivery and access to basic services in Botswana.
This scoping study has been conducted to identify the barriers and opportunities to enable affordable digital delivery and access to basic services in Malawi.
This scoping study has been conducted to identify the barriers and opportunities to enable affordable digital delivery and access to basic services in Eswatini.
This scoping study has been conducted to identify the barriers and opportunities to enable affordable digital delivery and access to basic services in Madagascar.
This scoping study has been conducted to identify the barriers and opportunities to enable affordable digital delivery and access to basic services in Lesotho.
How to turn local ideas into global business opportunities. Featuring Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founder Future Africa Fund (Co-Founder Andela &Flutterwave)
While we continue to focus on inclusive development of financial markets, we expanded our strategies to include a more direct focus on real economy impacts with FI 2.0
Making impact through innovations in financial inclusion
The FinScope Mozambique 2019 survey is the third FinScope survey implemented in Mozambique, following the baseline of 2009 and repeat of 2014.
FinScope 2019 marca o terceiro ciclo em que este inquérito nacionalmente representativo sobre a inclusão financeira é efectuado em Moçambique
The UK has announced a new package to reach 750 000 people in 8 countries across Southern Africa helping communities worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This dashboard represents some of the key market data on financial inclusion with a focus on females.
Este painel representa alguns dos principais dados de mercado sobre inclusão financeira com foco nas mulheres.
This MAP report reviews the implementation of the 2015 MAP diagnostic, considers market changes, and identifies financial inclusion interventions to grow the economy.
Documenting the findings of the research study on socio-economic factors faced by South African social grant recipients while also assessing similar global initiatives.
Given the importance of social grants in the livelihoods of the poor, it is appropriate to leverage this mechanism to promote income generation and security of livelihoods.
As viewed, moving grant distribution towards greater impact requires the establishment, promotion and support of inclusive digital payment ecosystems at community level.
In every crisis there is an opportunity that exists where innovative individuals can build solutions to the challenges we will be facing.
Limited support has been provided for economic migrants who send money home to support family members. See what support has been created for migrants in South Africa.
This 2019 report is the third in an annual series that assess the level of financial inclusion in selected SADC countries where the MAP programme has been implemented.
Across the continent there has been a very long debate about the payment of interest on mobile money. What has the experience been like in Zimbabwe?
SADC Innovation Challenge objectives, competition timelines, the thematic challenges, the participant overview, and the in-country and regional winners.
Highlighting the usage of access to financial services in South Africa in 2019, to better understand market needs and attitudes of both informal and formal offerings.
Masterclass with Craig McLeod, Term Sheets, Dev Ops and Revenue Hacks - What 20 years of building products has taught Craig McLeod.
Masterclass with Tomi Davies, Building an investment worthy startup
Our panellists discuss cross border remittances and domestic payments in selected SADC countries and the challenges faced by payments service providers.
View the presentations on the effects of COVID-19 on domestic payments and cross-border remittances in the SADC region below.
What can we do to unlock access to finance for SMEs in South Africa?
The SADC region is not trailing far behind in the use of technological innovation to foster growth, with a small but fast-growing tech-enabled community.
African innovation refers to innovative technologies, start-ups, and programs developed by Africans for African needs and challenges – African Innovation Foundation
View highlights from the Mozambique FinScope Consumer Survey 2019 comparing levels of financial inclusion between 2019 and 2014.
View highlights from the Mozambique FinScope Consumer Survey 2019 comparing levels of financial inclusion between 2019 and 2014.
Mozambique implemented the 3rd Mozambique FinScope Survey to help monitor and evaluate sector interventions driven by the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS).
Read this 2019 full report for more information about the state of financial inclusion in Mozambique.
O Dinheiro Móvel tem evoluído para um bem utilitário que faculta marioritariamente serviços financeiros à população não-bancária.
Le Mobile Money s’est développé en un outil visant à fournir des services financiers en grande partie à la population non bancarisée.
Mobile Money has evolved as a utility to provide financial services largely to the unbanked population.
View winners and there pitches at the SADC Innovation and Investment Challenge Finale
View wave 3 data in a simple infographic with certain indicators and cross country comparisons.
This report is prepared to provide insight into the Malawi MSME sector using the FinScope Malawi MSME 2019 survey.
In South Africa to the rest of SADC, Remittance Pricing report, presented are the findings from a mystery shopping exercise
Read more on the research findings on cross border remittances from South Africa to the rest of SADC 2020.
Development Roadmap lays out a vision and implementation framework for the development of the SME sector in Malawi.
Informal remittance markets in many countries are well established but often expose the remitter to delays and the risk of theft and other losses.
The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) Report is based on findings from 6 focus group discussions with over 30 MSME owners.
2020 South Africa Youth Month infographic dashboard using FinScope 2019 data
a significant portion of adult South Africans are exposed to the necessary delivery of cash to get their social grants
South Africa’s informal savings market thrives – R44 billion collectively saved in approximately 820,000 stokvels.
The lack of recent, holistic and reliable information about the MSME sector was identified to be a significant barrier from past consumer surveys and the MAP process.
View the webinar on the research findings - cross border remittances from South Africa to the rest of SADC here
This report focuses on how FinMark Trust support in innovation that drives impact and enables marginalised communities to work towards sustainable livelihoods through financial inclusion.
This report focuses on how FinMark Trust support in innovation that drives impact and enables marginalised communities to work towards sustainable livelihoods through financial inclusion.
There is a lot of attention on the effects and impact of Covid-19 on our daily lives and we are immersed in stories from all sectors in South Africa.
This report captures the findings of the country context, demand-side, supply-side, and policy and regulatory reviews.
Oluwatomi Eromosele, Research Officer at EFInA joins CNBC Africa.
The health implications of COVID-19 go beyond the threat it poses itself as an illness.
The research team consists of an international team of academics across ten different international institutions.
Read more on COVID-19 livelihood impacts, health behaviours and awareness in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
We release wave 1 data for our multi-country Covid-19 Livelihoods Impact Survey.
As industries affected by physical-distancing COVID-19 measures race to reconfigure value chains, could platform business models hold the key to accelerated digitisation?
Trend insights on the nature and prevalence of digital platforms operating across eight African countries
No country or continent is untouched by COVID-19; but developing markets will see more short- and long-term negative social and economic effects than the developed world.
We are currently collecting data for the COVID-19 Tracker. Click on the link to visit the website for more information.
No country or continent is untouched by COVID-19; but developing markets will see more short- and long-term negative social and economic effects than the developed world.
How to ensure inclusive innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Factors which turn specific city regions into engine rooms for tech innovation and taking solutions to market.
The future of measuring financial needs.
What policymakers need to know
Policymakers, development organisations and private sector players, often rely on financial inclusion data uncovered through consumer or ‘demand-side’ surveys.
Insights for an inclusive and tech-enabled insurance sector in Egypt.
The new commitment, announced by Secretary of State Alok Sharma, represents the start of an important new approach to financial sector development in sub-Saharan Africa.
The continued journey of data science interns, Dieudonné Niyitanga and Samuel Mutinda
Why Formal Institutions Aren’t the Only Ones Driving Africa’s Innovation and Fintech Space
Find out more about one of the course mentors’ learnings from providing support to the course participants and the key role mentorship can play.
The movement of Africa’s rapidly growing urban population will be shaped by digital technologies in the era of smart mobility.
Dieudonné Niyitanga and Samuel Mutinda's data internship journey.
In Acquiring Financial Transaction Data
We revisit our purpose of Making financial markets work for the poor by promoting financial inclusion and inclusive growth in the 2019 Annual Report.
Read our report and insights on the financial needs of Mexicans, a pilot study in collaboration with the Mexican regulator, CNBV.
Read our summary report of the findings from the Financial Needs pilots, in partnership with AFI members from Mexico, Nigeria, Kenya, Philippines and Zimbabwe.
Read our blog with Accion Center for financial inclusion analysing frequency of usage.
Read our blog, featuring insights from BSP Philippines on new perspectives from using the financial needs approach.
SADC Secretariat, SADC Banking Association, FinMark Trust, FSD Mozambique, FSD Tanzania, FSD Zambia and Graça Machel Trust convened a 2-day SADC regional gender workshop
Learning how to navigate a complex and changing stakeholder landscape is an essential skill for anyone in the social impact space.
Have you ever run, funded or been part of a development project? Have you ever thought: “We should definitely share what we learned?”
The shortage of data science skills is a major challenge for Africa. With relatively few local institutions offering degrees in the subject
Often policy makers, regulators and financial service providers are far removed from the realities of the people whose lives we are trying to improve.
insight2impact is seeking an individual or firm to synthesise existing learning and best practice on the concept and measurement of financial health.
It’s not easy delivering data-driven financial services to financially excluded customers in Africa. That’s why technical assistance can be essential
Does this situation sound familiar? A development program generates lots of intriguing insights – but once it's over
There are more youth showing high levels of accountability for monthly expenditure than seniors. See the FinScope Benin Youth 2019 dashboard.
Read the full report on the use of digital financial services in Nigeria
Using SMS surveys to measure digital financial inclusion
How can we ensure that financial consumers aren't negatively affected by discriminatory algorithms?
Four findings from the DataHack4FI Innovation Competition.
We remind ourselves that only by placing women in the driving seat can we help drive people out of poverty.
Interview with FinMark's CEO - Brendan Pearce on the FMT remittance strategy.
What are the various remittance products and what are their implications for consumers?
This presentation is on inequality in middle income countries: A financial inclusion lens using FinScope.
Exploring the relationship between platforms, participants and financial services.
Digital platforms have the potential to contribute to financial inclusion and attainment of the SDGs more broadly.
The DataHack4FI Innovation Competition promotes the use of data analytics to solve challenges experienced by individuals or communities.
A measurement framework for digital financial services with a focus on digital payments.
Farming is the financial backbone for over half (58%) of the households in Benin.
The MAP country implementation is a key pillar of the SADC FI strategy, implemented with the SADC Secretariat and the SADC Committee for Central Bank Governors.
DataHack4FI brings together data enthusiasts and emerging tech companies to promote data-driven solutions for financial and economic inclusion.
Four findings from Season 2 of the DataHack4FI Innovation Competition.
The data collected allows for comparison across countries based on measurement dimensions such access, uptake, usage, cost to client,
The primary objective of this report is to deliver unique insights regarding the impact of DataHack4FI Season 2 on fintechs and aspiring data scientists.
The forum was held under the theme “Strengthening Financial Inclusion in Zimbabwe, from Policy to Practice: Lessons and Way Forward”
The fourth SADC Financial Inclusion Forum was held this year to further advance the aspirations of the SADC Strategy on Financial Inclusion and SME access to finance.
Applying the Risk-Based Approach – Undertaking AML/CTF Risk Assessment of low-value remittance and banking products and services in South Africa
The FinScope Gambia 2019 survey is a research diagnostic meant to support the government of Gambia
Translating insights from behavioural science into the design and delivery of financial services,
We have changed the user experience on the insight2impact data portal by making it simpler to navigate.
An update on behavioural interventions which have proven to influence financial decisions.
Exploring behavioural interventions to increase formal remittances.
Exploring behavioural interventions to improve insurance.
MAP is a diagnostic and programmatic framework to support expanding access to financial services for individuals and micro and small- businesses.
La majorité des jeunes (76%) trouvent qu’il est difficile de gérer des engagements financiers.
A cautionary tale about the process of setting up pilot studies
View the presentations from delegates at the SADC FI Forum 2019
Below is an extract of our conversation, offering unique insight into a product impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of migrants across South Africa:
The application of an innovative approach to cognitive interviewing.
Exploring mobile surveys as a viable means of data collection.
Find out more about our behavioural science engagements.
Learnings on the data science landscape in Africa from the DataHack4FI initiative
The MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise) sector is arguably the biggest employer in many economies, particularly in the developing world
What we’ve learned over three seasons of the DataHack4FI innovation competition and how the competition has evolved.
L’élaboration de ce document de Stratégie Nationale d’Inclusion Financière de Madagascar (SNIM 2018-2022)
While financial inclusion has risen to 68% globally, Sub Saharan Africa continues to lag with only 32% of its citizens having an account at a financial institution.
Behavioural interventions to better meet the financial needs of consumers
L’élaboration de ce document de Stratégie Nationale d’Inclusion Financière de Madagascar (SNIM 2018-2022)
Digital platforms connecting buyers and sellers of goods and services across Africa are on the rise. Learn more about our research and week of learning in Lagos.
We recently rolled out a pilot study in Nigeria, to explore the digital financial services landscape and how it serves the people. Learn more about our findings here.
This strategy document will ensure effective coordination and an improved synergy
We take a closer look at financial inclusion research and the shift towards using transactional data to develop more meaningful indicators.
Read more about our work with the Nigerian Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and the key findings from our transactional data analysis.
We investigate the prospect of new financial inclusion indicators for policymakers, through transactional data analysis.
Explore our latest research on Digital Africa, the platform economy and associated financial services
Cómo puede el sector financiero formal satisfacer mejor las necesidades financieras de los mexicanos?
What opportunities does the digitisation of value chains create for the delivery of financial services?
The Eswatini Making Access Possible (MAP) for Growth: Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Development Roadmap.
This National Financial Inclusion Strategy document of Madagascar (NFIS 2018- 2022)
The Government of Eswatini has made considerable effort towards developing the SME sector since the early 2000s.
Improving efficiency in mobile-money agent networks
TheDataHack4FI, the largest Pan-African innovation competition, is an initiative within the i2i (insight2impact) program jointly hosted by FinMark Trust and Cenfri.
FinScope data analysis has revealed many insights on gender.
How can the formal financial sector better meet the financial needs of Mexicans?
The potential of alternative data to better serve MSMEs in Zambia
The Shoprite cross-border money remittance product reached the R1 billion mark in January 2019
Read more about the implications for financial inclusion and download the presentation.
The FinScope South Africa 2018 Survey highlighted many issues pertinent to financial inclusion in South Africa.
Targeting small businesses with personalised business advice and predicting successful loan applications
Insights from an expert workshop on the potential of African digital platforms to influence development
As societies and economies change, so should the financial products that serve them.
This pocket guide represents some of the key market data on financial inclusion.
Can digital platforms offer innovative solutions to overcome barriers to low insurance penetration in African markets?
Read our interview with an entrepreneur building a digital identity business in Africa.
The journey of renewal for FinMark Trust (FMT) has continued during the past financial year
David Porteous, Founder of BFA, discussing push and pull models of digital identity along with discussing a national e-identity; the Estonia e-residence identity.
Targeting beginner and experienced stock market traders with a digital investment platform.
In mid-July, FinMark Trust and Bankable Frontiers Associate (BFA) set off to Malawi to conduct a feasibility study of the potential of a digital financial identity
The Burkina Faso Financial Inclusion Roadmap 2018 – 2022
La Feuille de Route pour l’inclusion financière du Burkina Faso 2018-2022
Thoughts from Zimbabwe on the importance of understanding the consumer in the credit market
This summary presents the main findings on impact and drivers of change for SaveAct savings groups programme
The OneMoney Hackathon was held at the TelOne Centre for Learning from the 13th -15th July 2018
In partnership with FinMark Trust, UNDP hosted a Hackathon as part of the Lesotho SIMM Project.
The feasibility assessment aimed to provide recommendations on the use cases of domestic financial inclusion the digital financial ID
Client data and its role in inclusive insurance
Marissa Dean of Caribou Digital talks data and digital development in the financial sector.
Seeking to better understand the trends and the underlying motivation to use financial services
This MAP Refresh Myanmar document follows on from the original MAP (Making Access Possible) exercise in Myanmar in 2013/2014.
Early findings from our African digital platforms and the future of financial services research
Understanding the use of digital financial services in Nigeria.
Making Access Possible is a multi-country initiative to support financial inclusion through a process of evidence-based country diagnostic and stakeholder dialogue, leading to the development of national financial inclusion roadmaps.
Prof Bitange Ndemo speaks to us about data, blockchain and innovation in Africa.
Using the example of three specific financial inclusion initiatives, we examine what drives usage.
Objectives of FinScope Haiti 2018
This roadmap document is produced as part of a series of documents in the Making Access Possible (MAP) Lesotho initiative.
Access and uptake are necessary for meaningful financial inclusion.
The Financial Access Points (FAP) mapping project in Lesotho was conducted between December 2017 and March 2018.
The Financial Access Points (FAP) mapping project in Lesotho was conducted between December 2017 and March 2018.
InvestXD created a digital investment platform for women and youth.
See how this Datahack4FI team is digitising savings groups in Rwanda
The current economic situation in South Africa presents a large number of people relying on the informal economy,
Namibians who do not have access to financial services stood at 22% in 2017, down from 31% in 2011 and 51% in 2007.
A framework for examining how a person’s usage of various financial services makes a difference in their financial life.
The ability of women-led agribusiness to acquire the necessary capital for quality inputs on purely commercial terms
With our new project, we explore digital platforms and how financial products should evolve due to societal, economic and technological changes.
The financial inclusion indicators are constructed from 14 SADC countries using findings of the FinScope Consumer surveys.
DataHack4FI in-country winners from Ghana offer a multiple-database-verification API solution to identity verification.
DataHack4FI Rwanda winners, AgriGO, aims to tackle financial vulnerability of smallholder farmers.
ZedCredit from Zambia provides access to savings, loans and a credit score via their mobile app.
SADC Financial Inclusion Strategy
A list of curated links for those looking to improve their data skills and access data science networks.
Watch our video where we speak to four of our beneficiaries to hear how our work in KYC, remittances and the risk-based approach are actually making a difference
An introduction to FinMark Trust and the impactful work it has done through Financial Inclusion in making financial markets work for the poor.
This repeat survey provides credible benchmarks on level of financial inclusion, financial capability and the quality of financial inclusion.
The aim of the project is to develop Mobile Money guidelines to assist SADC Member States with principles to facilitate the harmonisation
See the presentation for the FinScope Consumer Survey Myanmar 2018.
During the course of the Hackathon, the participants were exposed to a number of skills development sessions.
See what the i2i needs measurement framework reveals about consumer behaviour in Zimbabwe.
Proud new partnership between insight2impact (i2i) and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences – Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI)
Consultez le tableau de bord de FinScope Cameroon Youth.
View the FinScope Cameroon Agriculture dashboard.
View the FinScope Cameroon Agriculture dashboard.
View the FinScope Cameroon Youth dashboard.
The DRC has a long standing history of migrant flows, and historically flows to and from Europe have been of particular importance.
The DRC has a long standing history of migrant flows, and historically flows to and from Europe have been of particular importance.
The current global remittance market is estimated to be in the region of USD 500 billion annually and is expected to grow in future.
This pocket guide represents some of the key market data on financial inclusion in Cameroon.
See highlights from the launch and day 1 of the first hackathon in Zimbabwe FinMark Trust has been a part of, the OneMoney Hackathon.
View the FinScope Cameroon Regional Financial Access Strand Dashboard.
Making Access Possible (MAP) is a diagnostic and programmatic framework to support expanding access to financial services.
View the FinScope Cameroon Regional Financial Access Strand Dashboard.
The Government of Eswatini has been working towards the development of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.
With more digital transactions being concluded, cash still dominates the scene.
SADC migrants in South Africa remit approximately R16.6 billion home annually.
Many people don’t actively use formal financial services. Understanding why can render important policy insights. This note unpacks the various drivers of usage.
Access to formal remittance services is difficult for many migrants because of the onerous documentation requirements.
Meet the 10 teams from six countries who will be pitching in the DataHack4FI Grande Finale.
The Namibia Financial Inclusion Survey Report 2017.
The Report also uses data from the Annual Report of the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and the Annual Supervision Report of the NBC for the year 2016.
This synthesis report summarizes a series of document produced as part of the MAP Cambodia Initiative.
Brochure for the Namibia Financial Inclusion Survey 2017.
Using transactional and CRM data to identify an underserved consumer segment
The IDRC has partnered with i2i to extend the reach of DataHack4FI.
Applying relatively simple analytical methods to traditional data can yield positive returns for organisations.
Look at what the winning teams from Season 1 DataHack4FI have achieved in the last year.
Exploring how financial service providers collect, store and use data in six countries.
TransUnion Kenya CEO Billy Owino suggests collecting richer data on consumers can contribute to 'information for good'.
Despite progress around the world, many people continue to face social exclusion (i.e., limited access to social and economic opportunities).
View the Swaziland Business Development Measure dashboard for 2017.
Survey findings from six African countries
A recent study identified 18 unique behavioural interventions that FSPs can implement to influence the savings, credit, payment and insurance decisions of individuals.
Is your organisation's data sufficiently trained for the successful deployment of a chatbot?
DataHack4FI Season 1 in-country winner for Ghana
Options for sustainable data collection
How a spatial understanding of financial inclusion can contribute to meaningful measurement and impact
Guidelines, standards and best practices for spatial data
Mobiticket is a start-up based in Nairobi. It focuses on digitising the informal public transport sector across developing countries.
The Cambodia Financial Inclusion Roadmap (2018- 2025) provides guidance for achieving the vision of increased financial inclusion in Cambodia.
A report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) explores the rise of technology-enabled innovation and ways to measure FI, with an input from i2i.
Pour que les Togolais adultes puissent tirer le meilleur parti des ressources financières disponibles
Cependant, les seniors sont plus impliqués dans l’économie formelle que les jeunes.
Curated resources for those exploring open banking and APIs
Find out why Olubayo Adekanmbi believes data innovation + local knowledge = transformation.
Legal experts answer questions about the implications of data regulations for FSPs in Africa.
The DataHack4FI Season 2 launch in Accra kick-started the competition that uses data to solve problems.
Financial service providers can use behavioural interventions to help their clients overcome the intention-behaviour gap.
The research report study focused on the factors that drove the termination of mobile money services in South Africa.