This page showcases content that CGAP has produced, often in collaboration with partners, about what we know around making agent networks work at the last mile.
Key publications
Rural agent networks are critical to “last mile” financial inclusion. This reading deck for regulators does three things: (i) it shows how expanding rural Cash-in/Cash-out (CICO) agent networks is key to ensuring more inclusive digital financial systems; (ii) it illustrates industry innovations that are making rural CICO more viable; and (iii) it presents a set of regulatory considerations that can enable such innovations within a stable financial system.
Rural agent networks are critical to “last mile” financial inclusion. This reading deck for Financial Services Providers (FSPs) shows: (i) how rural Cash-in/Cash-Out (CICO) agent network expansion leads to increased customer value and sustained market growth; (ii) the barriers FSPs face to expand rural CICO networks; and (iii) successful new practices carried out in different markets that address barriers and result in improved rural CICO reach and quality.
Rural agent networks are critical to “last mile” financial inclusion. This reading deck for policy makers does two things: (i) it shows how rural Cash-in/Cash-out (CICO) agent network expansion is key to ensuring poor people can capture the benefits of digital financial ecosystems; and (ii) it presents a set of policies that have been effective in enabling rural CICO in a way that benefits vulnerable segments, like rural women, and that reinforces the effectiveness of social programs targeting these segments.
How should funders approach CICO?
Key blog posts
The variety of posts cover innovative approaches that providers are taking to improve the viability of their agent networks at the last mile, highlights from specific countries, and key partnerships. To view all blog posts CGAP has produced around distribution, view here.
Webinars
Review materials from past webinars, including videos.
How can digital financial services providers build viable cash-in/cash-out agent networks in rural areas? Remote areas pose special challenges for providers, as low population densities often mean low transaction volumes and weak incentives for businesses to serve as agents. As described in a new CGAP publication, “Agent Networks at the Last Mile" (2019), digital financial services providers are finding new ways to tackle this challenge around the world.
Collaborator highlight
MSC Consulting The Agent Network Accelerator (ANA) program identifies the factors responsible for the success or failure of specific agent networks, based on agent data from across 14 countries. For more information, see here.
BCG has launched a research initiative to fully understand the role of cash-in/ cash-out services in advancing financial inclusion. Based on assessments in 9 countries, the initiative clarifies the size of the CICO coverage gap, the economics of CICO networks and proposes possible interventions that could enable the establishment of new CICO networks. For more information, see here.