Friend or Foe to the World’s Poor? Settling the Microfinance Debate
Two debates fuel a seemingly never-ending cycle of support and criticism for the microfinance industry. We propose ways to resolve knowledge gaps that perpetuate these debates, which are also relevant for the broader financial inclusion community.
Rethinking Consumer Protection: A Responsible Digital Finance Ecosystem
With the rapidly changing digital finance market bringing new risks that can only be addressed through a new, holistic approach to consumer protection, this leadership essay argues that it is now time to build a “responsible digital finance ecosystem”.
In an Era of Urgent Climate Risk, Does Financial Inclusion Matter?
This year’s World Environment Day theme “Only One Earth” reminds us that this planet is humanity’s only home, with finite resources that we must safeguard. Here, we look not only at who pollutes, but who suffers the impact of climate change most.
The Essential Role of Finance in Education, Housing and Health Care
CGAP’s research suggests that financial services are important tools for advancing equitable access to quality essential services like education, housing and health care.
Let’s Talk About Resilience
While the need to expand opportunity for the poor has historically animated the financial inclusion community, it is high time we recognize the equally critical role of resilience building and expend similar effort in service of that goal.
Small but Mighty: CGAP and the Future of Financial Inclusion
In her final leadership essay as CGAP’s CEO, Greta Bull shares her perspective on the impact COVID-19 has had on global development and some lessons she’s learned about financial inclusion.
Women and Finance: Enabling Women’s Economic Empowerment
Reducing the gender gap requires that we put a gender lens on everything we do. CGAP CEO Greta Bull writes that without fully including women, we won’t solve financial inclusion or, for that matter, end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity.
Beyond Access and Usage: Financial Services for Livelihoods
Not only have financial services have changed dramatically over the last 30 years, so have the ways people earn a living.
After the Storm: How Microfinance Can Adapt and Thrive
There has been a need for traditional microfinance to face the challenge presented by digital technology for some time. COVID has simply accelerated this process.