Pathways to Financial Inclusion for Young Women: Opportunities for Financial Service Providers and Funders

Financial inclusion of young women (aged 15–24) boosts individual empowerment and contributes to broader social and economic outcomes. These young women can also be important new long-term customers for financial institutions, and a strong test case to refine strategies for outreach to broader low-income segments. Financial service providers (FSPs) and funders therefore each have compelling reasons to ensure young women’s financial inclusion, and distinct roles to play.

This Focus Note presents three key opportunities for FSPs and funders to bring more young women into the financial system in a way that meets their real financial management needs. These are based on research and ideation with financial service providers in Ghana and Tanzania,