Study and recommendations for regulators to drive the digital transformation of microfinance in Africa

Context:
The intersection of digital technologies and microfinance is one of the focus areas of AFI, especially given the opportunities technology provides in enhancing microfinance institutions (MFIs), at the MFI level (improved efficiency, reduced costs, etc.) and at the customer level (convenience, digital footprint, etc.). AFI commissioned this study to provide more efficient and relevant guidance to its members (financial regulators and supervisors) in the area of digitization of microfinance services.

Objectives:
The objective of this study is to underscore the role of technology in enhancing, efficiency and viability of the microfinance industry in Africa. It seeks to understand the synergy between digital financial services and microfinance institutions and develop policy and regulatory recommendations that facilitate the digital transformation of microfinance services to deepen financial inclusion in Africa.

Deliverables:

  1. Production of outline and methodology for the study
  2. Literature review
  3. 10+ stakeholder interviews among MFIs, MNOs, and Fintechs
  4. Report writing and publication

Other Projects

Learning Partnership under the Savings at the Frontier Programme

The objective of PHB’s partnership with OPM is the enhancement of the SatF programme’s internal learning as well as external sharing of knowledge gained.

Support MTN Benin to develop a payment ecosystem around moto-taxis drivers (Zemidjans)

MTN wants to set up a payment ecosystem around the Zemidjans (moto-taxi drivers in Benin), using mobile money as a solution to the challenges they face: Phase 1: Addressing security and liquidity issues with the implementation of merchant payment. Phase 2: Addressing a lack of means to meet their ambitions with a digital group savings product (“tontine”).

Support the digitalization of WFP cash transfers in Niger

The development of training curricula based on the results of the study and the conduct of training sessions for trainers with WFP's operational partners (NGOs, etc.)

Digital portfolio scan for financial sector clients

The general objective of the assignment is to support BIO’s financial sector clients in their digital journey by conducting an assessment of their financial institutions and providing an analysis for the most suitable candidates on the necessary support needed to move forward with their digitization process. Our analysis will be based on 2 components: 1) the use of an online survey tool for the data collection 2) a follow-up call from the consultants to help complete any missing information.

You May also like

Leveraging Gender Balance for Zoona Malawi

Zoona and UNCDF MM4P intend to increase women’s livelihood, by increasing the number of women agents and tellers within the Malawian DFS Ecosystem. By doing so, UNCDF/ MM4P will also contribute to the increased percentage of Malawian women adults that are financially included, as women customers tend to be more comfortable approaching women agents and tellers.

Development of the digital finance strategy in Ivory Coast

The payment sector in Côte d'Ivoire gives large importance to the digital payments instruments. However, it must adapt to the arrival of new players, new technologies and changing user expectations. In 2014, Côte d'Ivoire adopted the Financial Sector Development Strategy to reorganize, stabilize and develop the sector. This strategy is broken down into a sectoral and thematic action plan. The Financial Sector Development Program (PDESFI), created in 2014 by the Government, is the body responsible for implementing the strategy.

Evaluation of an agent network in rural Senegal

MM4P is providing support to InTouch to fill the gap in the number of service points (number of agents) active in rural areas, through a national deployment of 368 active agents. Ten departments are targeted. InTouch S.A. operates in the sector of information and communication technology and digital financial services. It offers an aggregation of different payment methods and distributes various digital financial services through simple and reliable access via a large network of agents. This aggregation consists of an application solution embedded on a mPos (Mobile Point Of Sale) called the One-Stop-Shop (GU).

Project Management Consultant Uganda

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s least developed countries. UNCDF has a unique financial mandate within the UN system. It provides investment capital and technical support to both the public and the private sector. The ability to provide capital financing -- in the forms of grants, soft loans and credit enhancement – and the technical expertise in preparing portfolios of sustainable and resilient capacity building and infrastructure projects, makes its mandate a very useful complement to the mandates of other UN agencies. It also positions UNCDF as an early-stage investor to de-risk opportunities that can later be scaled up by institutional financial partners and increasingly by philanthropic foundations and private sector investors.

Stay  Connected

Launch

Blog

Podcast

Newsletter

Video

Publication
en_USEnglish
fr_FRFrench en_USEnglish