Research & Analysis

COVID-19 and Disruptions to Vulnerable Rural Livelihoods in the Sahel

The livelihoods of vulnerable rural households in fragile environments such as Niger and the wider Sahel have been strongly affected by the unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. A holistic, coordinated approach by stakeholders can help create solutions that make it possible for vulnerable rural households to escape the recurring cycle of emergency food aid and greatly enhance their resilience to future shocks.

Rapid Account Opening in a Pandemic

Governments and funders worldwide are responding to the severe economic blow from the COVID-19 pandemic by delivering social assistance payments to families and individuals. Increasingly, they are turning to digital delivery for disbursements, which has accelerated the demand for financial services providers (FSPs) to be able to open formal financial accounts rapidly and with minimal or zero physical contact with customers.

India's New Approach to Personal Data-Sharing

As more and more people begin to conduct transactions online, questions have emerged about how to provide millions of customers adequate data protection and privacy. India's solution to this challenge is account aggregators (AA).

Making Consumer Protection Regulation More Customer-Centric

Customer outcomes approaches are emerging as a promising consumer protection paradigm where the regulatory focus shifts from provider compliance with prescriptive check-the-box rules to customer results or outcomes achieved through provider actions.

Results Dashboard: CGAP Pulse Survey of Microfinance Institutions

This interactive dashboard allows you to explore the publicly available results of the CGAP Pulse Survey of Microfinance Institutions. Launched on 1 June 2020, this monthly survey provides a high-level picture of how COVID-19 is impacting the microfinance sector at the global, regional, and national levels. All microfinance providers are encouraged to participate in the current wave.

Microfinance and COVID-19: A Framework for Regulatory Response

A framework for identifying and assessing crisis responses must take account of the special characteristics of microfinance which leads to the question of how regulators should respond. A review of current practice in a range of countries suggests there are six key steps to be taken at the level of regulation and policy.

How to Engage Third Parties with Your Open APIs

This slide deck describes different third-party segments a provider may want to target with APIs and introduces engagement strategies and activities that may be effective with these segments.

Electric Bankers: Utility-Enabled Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa

Without appliances, people cannot make use of electricity. But how can low-income households afford costly electrical appliances? One answer is for utilities to offer consumer financing.

Platform Business Models

Internet platforms are taking the world by storm, making it easy for third parties to exchange goods and services. Adding financial services can improve the experience, but what risks should financial service providers and regulators consider?

Innovations in Asset Finance

With the SDGs facing an estimated annual investment gap of $2.5 trillion, innovations in asset financing offer a more sustainable alternative to transfers, with the potential to drive asset ownership at scale.