Recent Blogs
Blog
Maximizing the Impact of Financial Inclusion for Young Women
Among which segments of young women could investments in improved financial services make the most impact? We highlight findings from a recent CGAP segmentation exercise.Blog
Can Kenya’s Fintech Boom Address the MSE Finance Gap?
Kenya has seen an explosion of fintechs and nano credit providers, but they have yet to meaningfully serve MSEs in the country. We explain how fintechs could have a wider reach and distinct value proposition for MSEs in Kenya beyond digital credit.Blog
We Agree – Life Stages Likely Impact DFS Usage Among Young Women
Certain life stages have a significant impact on women’s economic empowerment and use of financial services - particularly for young women.Blog
Growing Up, Growing Informal: Gender Differences in Financial Services
Teenage men and women in Kenya and South Africa adopt formal savings accounts at similar rates. But when they hit their 20s, men continue to adopt formal services while women begin gravitating toward informal services. Why?Blog
Is It Possible to Estimate Financial Stress Before It Harms Borrowers?
A tool piloted by CGAP and 4G Capital reliably measures changes in borrower behavior to detect financial stress. If stress indicators are found to predict future repayment, the tool could also serve as an early warning system for issues like default.Blog
Data Privacy Concerns Influence Financial Behaviors in India, Kenya
For digital financial services providers looking for a competitive edge in developing economies, better data privacy features could be the answer, according to CGAP research from India and Kenya.Blog
Financial Services for Platform Workers: Lessons from Partnerships
Platforms in Kenya are partnering with licensed financial services providers to offer credit, insurance and savings to their workers. Here are some lessons emerging from these partnerships.Blog
Study Shows Kenyan Borrowers Value Data Privacy, Even During Pandemic
Research in Kenya shows that low-income borrowers value data privacy so much that most are willing to pay higher interest rates for better privacy protections, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.Blog
The Wrong Kind of Credit: Why Loans to Gig Workers Must Reflect Income
Volatile gig income and inflexible loan repayment schedules can be a dangerous mix, as this ride-hailing driver in Nairobi learned from experience. His story serves as a cautionary tale to lenders and borrowers in the gig economy.Blog
Financial Services for Gig Workers: An Intersection of Needs in Kenya
Gig workers in Kenya cite savings, loans and medical insurance as top financial services they would like to access via gig platforms. While platforms across Africa increasingly offer credit and insurance, savings appears to be under-supplied.Blog
Kenya’s Expansion of G2P Becomes Lifeline During COVID-19 Crisis
Kenya offers higher fees to providers that facilitate digital government-to-person payments in underserved areas. Today, this makes it easier to reach hundreds of thousands of low-income people with assistance during the COVID-19 crisis.Blog
COVID-19 Exposes Risks and Opportunities in Kenya's Gig Economy
Gig workers in Kenya report major disruptions to business and depleted savings due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), while platforms signal eagerness to facilitate government-to-person payments or loans to hard-hit workers.Blog
How Are Kenya’s Youth Experiencing the Gig Economy?
The gig economy is on the rise in Africa. What does this mean for youth? In Kenya, CGAP interviewed young people to get their perspectives.Blog
How Do Kenyans Really Use M-PESA?
Transaction data shows mobile money agents are more like petrol stations than barber shops, with few customers showing loyalty to particular agents.Blog
Youth in Agriculture: A New Generation Leverages Technology
Digital financial services can help young people see a future in agriculture.Blog
How Regulators Can Foster More Responsible Digital Credit
Regulators can help ensure digital credit helps, rather than harms, poor customers by taking these steps.Blog
It's Time to Slow Digital Credit's Growth in East Africa
New research from Kenya and Tanzania reveals that digital credit is often used for consumption purposes and that delinquency and default rates are high, suggesting funders of digital credit markets should prioritize consumer protection.Blog
A Digital Platform to Manage Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenses
The M-TIBA mobile health wallet combines savings, remittances and other digital financial services to help low-income customers cover health care expenses.Blog
What Can Traditional Giving Teach Digital Fundraising Platforms?
What can today’s digital fundraising platforms learn from long-held traditions of giving? We spoke with givers in Kenya to find out.Blog