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
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 2024 SADC Financial Inclusion Forum featured discussions on digital payments, regulatory frameworks, and innovation, promoting collaboration to enhance financial inclusion and regional investment opportunities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Throughout this year, we will be documenting our journey to date – and making this public for others to learn from.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Three ventures from Botswana and Tanzania present solutions that address financial inclusion across the SADC region. Watch their investor pitches and product demonstrations
How to turn local ideas into global business opportunities. Featuring Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founder Future Africa Fund (Co-Founder Andela &Flutterwave)
Making impact through innovations in financial inclusion
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.
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.
African innovation refers to innovative technologies, start-ups, and programs developed by Africans for African needs and challenges – African Innovation Foundation
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.
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.
Informal remittance markets in many countries are well established but often expose the remitter to delays and the risk of theft and other losses.
View the webinar on the research findings - cross border remittances from South Africa to the rest of SADC here
The health implications of COVID-19 go beyond the threat it poses itself as an illness.
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
This presentation is on inequality in middle income countries: A financial inclusion lens using FinScope.
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 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.
Translating insights from behavioural science into the design and delivery of financial services,
View the presentations from delegates at the SADC FI Forum 2019
FinScope data analysis has revealed many insights on gender.
The financial inclusion indicators are constructed from 14 SADC countries using findings of the FinScope Consumer surveys.
SADC Financial Inclusion Strategy
The aim of the project is to develop Mobile Money guidelines to assist SADC Member States with principles to facilitate the harmonisation
The current global remittance market is estimated to be in the region of USD 500 billion annually and is expected to grow in future.
With more digital transactions being concluded, cash still dominates the scene.
FinMark Trust, in partnership with SADC Secretariat and the SADC Banking Association is proud to have co-hosted the second Financial Inclusion Indaba
This paper reports on the determinants of small business access to finance (both formal and informal) in 5 countries in the SADC region
A third of adults in SADC are indebted and with access to credit from either a formal or informal lender.
This report provides an update on the available money transfer offerings that facilitate remittance flows from South Africa to other countries in SADC.
This paper presents a cross-country comparison of mobile money ownership and its determinants together with the factors affecting mobile money adoption.
The research first required an understanding of the global landscape regarding agricultural subsidies, including some analysis of the changes over time,
The case studies highlight the important role that low-cost financing solutions can play within the health system.
Worldwide, countries have been increasing their efforts to expand the financial services sector, particularly to low income consumers.
Presentation on understanding the current state of regional financial integration (RFI) within the SADC region.
FinMark Trust, in collaboration with the SADC Secretariat hosted a SADC financial inclusion strategy workshop in February 2016.
The first step in a long journey towards a harmonised legal and regulatory framework for payments in the SADC.
The SADC Secretariat and FinMark Trust identified the need to understand the current state of regional financial integration (RFI) within the SADC region.
Financial Inclusion in SADC through the FinScope Lenses” provides an in-depth analysis of the current state of financial inclusion in the twelve SADC states.
A wide divergence exists in the level of credit information sharing across different SADC
AML/CFT implementation in developing countries and financial inclusion
The last phase of the project was to discuss the findings of the country reports and the innovations/best practices report with country stakeholders
Focus note 1 - Financial Inclusion and AML/CFT
Focus Note 2: Risk-based approaches to AML/CFT
Focus Note 3: AML / CFT due diligence and related matters
Focus Note 4: Mobile services / technology
Focus Note 5: Harmonisation of regulatory frameworks in the SADC region
Consolidated report Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism in Certain SADC Countries
The overall aim of the Indaba was to promote financial inclusion in the SADC region for the purpose of inclusive economic growth and poverty alleviation.
Study on the Impact of the SADC Integrated Regional Electronic Settlement System (SIRESS) on Transaction Costs and Practices.
The aim of the study is to produce a mapping of potential financial services distribution channels in SADC.
The study is the second phase of a three-year programme to increase access to and the uptake of rural and agricultural financial services in southern Africa
Through this study a Financial Education ToolKit (FE) was developed.
Presentation delivered by Peter Gross at the Insurers Assocation Zambia Seminar on 28 May 2013.
See the presentation on the AUHF, an organisation of mortgage banks, building societies, housing corporations
The study is the second phase of a three-year programme to increase access to and the uptake of rural and agricultural financial services in southern Africa
Africa is the next investment frontier and the SADC region has some of the most attractive investment opportunities on the continent.
This report is to better understand the role and use of co-operative financial institutions in South Africa, Malawi and Swaziland.
'Growing Housing Opportunities in Africa: Encouraging Investment and Growing the Market'. The conference was attended by over 320 delegates from across the globe
The housing finance in Africa year book is intended to provide readers insight into the practice and developments in housing finance in Africa
Why Payment Systems matter to Financial Inclusion
It is well known that there are large remittance flows from South Africa to other countries in the SADC region and that a substantial proportion of such flows are informal
The focus of this study was to gain insight into remittance behaviour and patterns of the SADC migrant population
See the protocol on finance and the investment background and process.
FinMark Trust commissioned a research report that provided, amongst other findings, an initial estimate of the size of the SADC remittance market.
The FIP is supported by the content of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Plan (RISDP) which articulates the broader level goals that underpin the FIP
SADC microfinance study - landscape, regulatory environment, level of monitoring and support
The FIP is one of the protocols entered into by the SADC member states to give legal and practical effect to their commitments under the SADC Treaty.
This study examined the retirement systems of Namibia with a view to drawing lessons from their experiences in addressing old age provision
This study examined the retirement systems of Seychelles with a view to drawing lessons from their experiences in addressing old age provision
This study examined the retirement systems of Madagascar with a view to drawing lessons from their experiences in addressing old age provision
This study examined the retirement systems of Angola with a view to drawing lessons from their experiences in addressing old age provision
This study examined the retirement systems of Botswana with a view to drawing lessons from their experiences in addressing old age provision
This study examined the retirement systems of DRC with a view to drawing lessons from their experiences in addressing old age provision
This study examined the retirement systems of Malawi with a view to drawing lessons from their experiences in addressing old age provision
This study examined the retirement systems of Zambia with a view to drawing lessons from their experiences in addressing old age provision
This study examined the retirement systems of Zimbabwe with a view to drawing lessons from their experiences in addressing old age provision
This study examined the retirement systems of SADC with a view to drawing lessons from their experiences in addressing old age provision
This study examined the retirement systems of Tanzania with a view to drawing lessons from their experiences in addressing old age provision
This study examined the retirement systems of Mozambique with a view to drawing lessons from their experiences in addressing old age provision
Rural finance presentation on The State of Rural and Agricultural finance in SADC Initial findings.
The intra-SADC remittance market is estimated to comprise at least R6.2bn in annual cross-border flows (or approximately US$1bn).
One of the key barriers to access to financial services to the poor and particularly to the poor living in remote rural areas is the price of being banked.