How Did Advans Côte d'Ivoire Win the European Microfinance Award?
Albert Sie Dah, Farm Operations Manager of Advans Côte d’Ivoire, talks about how they have succeeded in serving farmers and their children with a combination of high tech and high touch.
How Ghana’s New Digital Finance Policy Can Drive Women’s Inclusion
Ghana made waves earlier this year when it launched the world’s first digital financial services (DFS) policy, building on the past five years of explosive DFS growth in the country. Can the new policy help to close the gender gap?
Does Informal Finance Still Matter?
Informal Savings Mechanisms (ISMs) have long been important to many people’s day-to-day money management across Africa. But as formal financial services become much more prevalent in the region, what will happen to these ISMs? Will they fall by the wayside as the digital revolution takes over?
Top Five Digital Financial Service Features That Impact Women’s Access and Use
Research in Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire provides guidance for DFS providers and regulators on how to help ensure that digital tools make women more - not less - financially included.
Empowering Women to Face Climate Change: How Can We Create Awareness of Financial Products and Services That Meet Women’s Needs?
Reflecting on a Member-led Session at the #FinEquity2023 Annual Meeting, we dive into how PULA, Opportunity International, and Fundación WWB Colombia are working to understand women's climate realities and financial needs.
The Power of Community-Based Organizations to Mobilize Farmers’ Savings
A Scale2Save project in Cote d’Ivoire shares what they’ve learned working with farmer cooperatives as financial agents.
When Equal Use Is Not What It Seems
Ghana has one of the most mature mobile money markets in Africa, and one of the smallest mobile ownership gender gaps. However, a deeper look at GSMA's data reveals several gender differences not immediately apparent on the surface - they've highlighted here.
Sweeter Prospects for Cocoa Farmers
Cocoa is one of the world’s most prized foods, but the smallholder farmers in Cote d’Ivoire who produce it live in extreme poverty. Formal land ownership can improve their financial outlook.