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
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The latest research, blog posts, articles, publications, videos and infographics across all our work.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
South Africa to the rest of SADC Remittances Market Assessment 2024
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.
Policy recommendations for the informal sector in South Africa
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.
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.
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.
Two Decades of Financial Progress Amid Economic Challenges
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 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 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 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 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.
