Blog

The Hidden Costs of Forex Funding: Do Women Pay a Higher Price?

Smaller lenders serve women borrowers best but face high costs, forex risk, and limited scale. In light of this fact, donors and DFIs must expand local currency funding and strengthen risk management to close the gender gap in finance.

Competition as a Catalyst for Financial Inclusion

Healthy competition in the financial sector is essential for advancing financial inclusion, as it lowers costs, spurs innovation, improves access and service quality—especially for underserved populations.

Is Climate Change Undermining Financial Inclusion? Early Evidence Says Yes

Early evidence from Pakistan confirms the need to shore up the financial institutions that serve vulnerable populations facing climate impacts, as climate risk threatens to undermine global progress on financial inclusion.

RDFE Lessons From the UK's Open Banking Journey

The UK’s open banking approach demonstrates how digital finance can be harnessed responsibly to promote innovation and competition while safeguarding consumers and their data, aligning well with CGAP’s Responsible Digital Finance Ecosystem framework.

AI and Responsible Finance: A Double-Edged Sword

Artificial Intelligence can transform financial inclusion and digital financial services, but it can also increase consumer risks like fraud, data misuse, and lack of transparency.

Finance Meets AI: Considerations for Public Authorities

How can public authorities support the financial sector to harness the power of AI while ensuring it operates within safe and ethical boundaries? Here, we propose three key considerations that could enable the responsible use of AI in finance.

Beyond the Balance Sheet: How Data is Rewriting the Investment Playbook

Inclusive credit fintechs can help narrow the financial inclusion gap—but their path is challenging. New data-driven asset managers are stepping in with transaction-based financing, offering the capital and credibility fintechs need to scale responsibly.

Granular Data for More Equitable Financial Systems

As financial systems evolve, so must the tools for oversight. Suptech is helping supervisors harness better data, spot trends (including by gender), and guide smarter decisions. Countries like Rwanda are showing how tech can drive more inclusive, effective financial systems.

Will FATF’s Travel Rule Revisions Affect Financial Inclusion?

The FATF is consulting on revisions to its travel rule that will affect all payments. However, the changes pose a threat to the speed, cost, and inclusiveness that the international community expects from global remittances. So why the change?

Avanti’s Digital Edge: Winning for Customers, Partners, and Growth

Avanti Finance leverages technology and partnerships to provide affordable, accessible financial services to low-income households in India, focusing on women. Their digital processes enhance efficiency, scalability, and customer experience.

Key Regulatory Developments for AI in Finance

AI is not a novel concept in finance; so, what is driving renewed interest in addressing regulatory gaps around the technology? CGAP desk research covering more than 100 jurisdictions identified five key global developments in AI regulation.

Bringing Resilience to the Table to Achieve Development Goals

CGAP's Impact Pathfinder provides insights into the role of financial services in building the resilience of vulnerable populations and small businesses globally.

AI's Promise: A New Era for Financial Inclusion

In CGAP's latest leadership essay, CEO Sophie Sirtaine explores the vast potential of AI for greater financial inclusion, while highlighting the importance of managing its inherent risks carefully and proactively.

Convenience Drives Rapid Adoption of Account Aggregators in India

Open finance in India has grown rapidly, with a significant rise in linked accounts through Account Aggregators (AAs). New CGAP research offers insights on key drivers of AA adoption and areas for improvement to enhance customer experience.

Going Beyond Demand-Side Surveys to Measure Financial Health

Financial authorities should consider moving beyond just demand-side data for measuring financial health to supply-side data from FSPs and non-financial organizations. CGAP research calls for further exploration and testing of such data.

Fueling Micro-Retail: FMCGs & E-Commerce in Action

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies have a significant opportunity to enhance their supply chain efficiency, expand their market reach, and improve operational effectiveness by leveraging B2B (Business-to-Business) e-commerce platforms.

Does Microcredit Drive Jobs Growth? Here’s What the Evidence Shows

Microcredit can help MSEs create jobs and build resilience but often falls short on growth. The Impact Pathfinder highlights credit’s opportunities and gaps, stressing the need for better financial products and support to boost employment.

FATF’s Revised Inclusion Guidance: Progress Made, Questions Remain

While FATF’s revised AML/CFT Guidance makes strides toward promoting financial inclusion, it still lacks clarity on key issues. The public consultation is an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback and shape a more balanced final version.

Beyond the Chat: AI-Powered Advice for Women Farmers

AI-powered chatbots can be transformative for rural women by providing accessible, real-time agricultural advice, improving productivity, and fostering financial independence. Challenges must be addressed to ensure their full impact and inclusivity.

A Clearer View: Using S-GDD for Better Financial Outcomes

Relying on aggregate financial data for insights provides only a general idea of reality – granular supply-side gender-disaggregated data (SGDD) can sharpen the picture, exposing financial behaviors and disparities that would otherwise remain hidden.