Blog

The FinDev Gateway Blog features interviews and blog posts from financial inclusion practitioners around the world. In this community space, we share lessons learned, new ideas, and upcoming research from the field.

The World Is Mobile, Why Isn’t Our Data?

By Tim Nourse, Making Cents International
November 2019
Women working in India. Photo by Peter Paul Ekka, 2016 CGAP Photo Contest.

Over 164 million migrant workers make a living in a foreign country, and almost 26 million refugees have been forced to flee due to conflict. Unfortunately, while migrant workers are on the move, their data is not, often preventing them from accessing financial services or better jobs. Developing a digital identity system is one potential solution to this problem.

Airtime seller, Kenya. Photo by Kevin Kariithi, 2018 CGAP Photo Contest.
Blog

Women's Financial Inclusion: The Smart Thing To Do

To pick up the pace of change, we need more pragmatic actions from all stakeholders. This blog post shares key takeaways from two recent events by FinEquity and Women's World Banking.
By Mercy Wachira
December 2019
ATLAS Data Platform
Blog

More Data for a More Accountable Financial Inclusion Industry

Facts and figures tell us the full story of financial and social results and allow us to compare that story to those of our peers. The ATLAS data platform is a new initiative to help tell those stories, consolidating data on pricing, client protection, and social and financial performance.
By Lucia Spaggiari
November 2019

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Train in Bangladesh. Photo by Sohel Parvez Haque, 2017 CGAP Photo Contest.
Blog

Gateway Guide to Digital Transformation of Microfinance Institutions

Should all financial service providers climb on the digital bandwagon to stay relevant? In this Gateway Guide, we share our main take-aways from the latest research and practical lessons across the sector.
By Gayane Manukyan
October 2019
Digital financial services client. Photo credit: Accion
Blog

Consumer Protection in a Digital Age

The Smart Campaign's new standards and guidance for digital finance mark a profound shift for the sector - from a previous focus on staff behavior towards clients, to the increasing importance of product design and delivery, as well as data protection.
By Elisabeth Rhyne
July 2019
A small manufacturer of silk thread wraps, Turkey. Photo by Bulent Suberk, 2016 CGAP Photo Contest.
Blog

What Would People Say?

Women entrepreneurs or those taking on a new career path in Turkey often hear this phrase from society, discouraging them from taking on less traditional roles. But now organizations in the country are working to unpack and overcome the insidious effects of gender-based social norms on women’s financial health.
By Sarah Willis & Yasmin Bin-Humam
September 2019
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Airtime seller, Kenya. Photo by Kevin Kariithi, 2018 CGAP Photo Contest.
Blog

Women's Financial Inclusion: The Smart Thing To Do

To pick up the pace of change, we need more pragmatic actions from all stakeholders. This blog post shares key takeaways from two recent events by FinEquity and Women's World Banking.
By Mercy Wachira
December 2019
Holding a phone, India. Photo by Ibrahim Rifath on Unsplash.
Blog

Who Bears the Risk in Fintech?

The excitement around fintech in India is palpable. Many see it as a market-led solution to the policy objective of financial inclusion. Fintech regulation must therefore be designed carefully to prevent and mitigate risks while also preserving the potential for financial inclusion.
By Beni Chugh
November 2019
ATLAS Data Platform
Blog

More Data for a More Accountable Financial Inclusion Industry

Facts and figures tell us the full story of financial and social results and allow us to compare that story to those of our peers. The ATLAS data platform is a new initiative to help tell those stories, consolidating data on pricing, client protection, and social and financial performance.
By Lucia Spaggiari
November 2019
Women working in India. Photo by Peter Paul Ekka, 2016 CGAP Photo Contest.
Blog

The World Is Mobile, Why Isn’t Our Data?

Over 164 million migrant workers make a living in a foreign country, and almost 26 million refugees have been forced to flee due to conflict. Unfortunately, while migrant workers are on the move, their data is not, often preventing them from accessing financial services or better jobs. Developing a digital identity system is one potential solution to this problem.
By Tim Nourse
November 2019
Savings lock box, Uganda. Photo by Allison Shelley for CGAP.
Blog

Unlocking Capital in Financial Services for the Poor

While the financial inclusion sector has changed drastically over the last twenty years, a familiar challenge has returned: information asymmetry. So MIX’s strategic shifts to refocus on data initiatives in fintech, digital and agricultural finance - and other frontier sectors to come - are a welcome development for the entire financial inclusion community.
By Mayada El-Zoghbi & Henry Gonzalez
October 2019
Farmer in Njombe, Tanzania. Photo by Dorcas Tinga, One Acre Fund.
Blog

Three Solutions for Delivering Insurance to Smallholder Farmers

Leading microinsurance providers discuss how to solve issues with distribution, the multitude of risks farmers face and uptake.
By Céline Fillet, with the contribution of Propagate Coalition members
October 2019