Rani Deshpande

Senior Financial Sector Specialist

Rani Deshpande’s work with CGAP has focused on meaningful financial inclusion for youth and women, financial services for gig platform workers, and earlier in her career, pro-poor savings and money transfer services. Her consulting work spans applied research and analysis to inform the design of financial services and livelihoods programs for underserved populations, as well as policies conducive to their success.

Rani also has extensive experience in program management, serving as the Director of Save the Children’s $42M portfolio youth and off-farm livelihoods development work in over a dozen countries. Prior to that, she led YouthSave, an initiative that assisted over 150,000 teens to open tailored savings accounts and save over $1.2M. She has also served as a strategy consultant to US nonprofits at The Bridgespan Group, and provided direct technical assistance to MSMEs in India and West Africa.

Rani earned her undergraduate degree from Stanford University and a dual Master’s degree in International Affairs and Business from Columbia University. She is fluent in French and Marathi and speaks intermediate Spanish and basic Hindi.

By Rani Deshpande

Blog

Young Women Speak: Lessons on Inclusive Finance from Ghana & Tanzania

Based on research and experimentation in Ghana and Tanzania, CGAP identified three opportunities for providers and funders to help close the gender gap that widens between ages 15–24. Broaden on-ramps to the financial system, prioritize secure savings over credit, and protect young women’s financial gains with better life and health insurance.
Research

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

Based on research in Ghana and Tanzania, this Focus Note presents key opportunities for FSPs and funders to meet the real financial needs of young women aged 15-24.
Blog

What’s Driving Quiet Gains for Young Women’s Use of Financial Services?

Young women’s use of financial services jumped 9 points since 2021. Findex 2025 data suggests government transfers now play a bigger role in shaping young women’s financial behaviors, narrowing the gender gap despite stable education and wage trends.
Blog

Supplying What the Market Won’t: Donors and Young Women’s Inclusion

Young women across Africa are one of the most underserved markets for financial services. Donors can step in by strategically supporting services the market isn't likely to provide but are key to increasing young women's financial inclusion.
Blog

What Is “Appropriate” Financial Inclusion for Young Women?

Young women in low-income countries face major life changes in early adulthood. Tailored financial inclusion—through segmented products, accessible delivery, financial literacy, and partnerships—supports their transitions.