Our Approach
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"Technology is rapidly changing the way people can get basic financial services. However, even with the widespread availability and the promise of particular technologies, there is no guarantee that financial services will reach poor people. To ensure all poor people benefit from technology-enabled financial access, we need appropriate regulation and business models that can go to scale." - Steve Rasmussen, Program Manager.
The CGAP Technology Program is co-funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK Department for International Development (DFID).
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Country Notes
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CGAP has taken a close look at the branchless banking industry in a few key countries where we think the market conditions are right for branchless banking to dramatically increase access to financial services in the country as a whole. These countries are Brazil, Ghana, India, Mexico, Pakistan and South Africa as well as the countries making up the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).
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Project Profiles
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To date CGAP has helped shape 14 projects with microfinance institutions, banks, mobile network operators, and payment system providers targeting millions of poor unbanked people in Colombia, Ecuador, India, Kenya, Maldives, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines, and South Africa.
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Technology Project Profiles:
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This publication hones in on four specific country experiences to answer questions about the affordability, profitability, and use of electronic payment systems. Researchers analyzed data from governments, social cash transfer recipients, and payment providers to get a clear picture of government-to-person (G2P) payment systems in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and South Africa, all countries where governments are moving increasingly toward the electronic delivery of social cash transfers into bank accounts.
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News and Events
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CGAP Virtual Conference: On April 25 and 26, CGAP hosted a virtual conference on "Financial Inclusion: What Really Works for Clients."
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The Search for Inclusion in Kenya's Financial Landscape: On April 25th, 2012. Dr. Susan Johnson will discuss the challenges that formal services face in the search for financial inclusion in Kenya at an event hosted by CGAP.
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Electronic G2P Payment Systems: On March 21, CGAP hosted an event on electronic G2P payment systems in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and South Africa. The presentation and archived video are now available for viewing.
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Branchless Banking
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Branchless banking is the delivery of financial services outside conventional bank branches using information and communications technologies and nonbank retail agents, for example, over card-based networks or with mobile phones.
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Information Systems
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Strong information systems (IS) are the foundation of any financial institution. Yet many microfinance institutions struggle with their systems resulting in inefficiencies which limit their ability to grow and eventually take advantage of other technologies, such as branchless banking.
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