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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Impact of Covid-19 and Social unrest a double blow for MSMEs - FinScope uses data to understand current challenges facing MSMEs
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
View the presentations on the effects of COVID-19 on domestic payments and cross-border remittances in the SADC region below.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
This report captures the findings of the country context, demand-side, supply-side, and policy and regulatory reviews.
Read more on COVID-19 livelihood impacts, health behaviours and awareness in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
Trend insights on the nature and prevalence of digital platforms operating across eight African countries
We are currently collecting data for the COVID-19 Tracker. Click on the link to visit the website for more information.
The future of measuring financial needs.
What policymakers need to know
Insights for an inclusive and tech-enabled insurance sector in Egypt.
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
insight2impact is seeking an individual or firm to synthesise existing learning and best practice on the concept and measurement of financial health.
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
This presentation is on inequality in middle income countries: A financial inclusion lens using FinScope.
Exploring the relationship between platforms, participants and financial services.
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.
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
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.
The application of an innovative approach to cognitive interviewing.
Exploring mobile surveys as a viable means of data collection.
L’élaboration de ce document de Stratégie Nationale d’Inclusion Financière de Madagascar (SNIM 2018-2022)
L’élaboration de ce document de Stratégie Nationale d’Inclusion Financière de Madagascar (SNIM 2018-2022)
This strategy document will ensure effective coordination and an improved synergy
Explore our latest research on Digital Africa, the platform economy and associated 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
The potential of alternative data to better serve MSMEs in Zambia
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
This pocket guide represents some of the key market data on financial inclusion.
The journey of renewal for FinMark Trust (FMT) has continued during the past financial year
Targeting beginner and experienced stock market traders with a digital investment platform.
The Burkina Faso Financial Inclusion Roadmap 2018 – 2022
La Feuille de Route pour l’inclusion financière du Burkina Faso 2018-2022