a woman in Indian dress on the phone in a field of yellow and orange flowers Photo by Alok Avinash/2015 CGAP Photo Contest

Digital Innovation

Digital innovation has transformed the way we live, work, and interact with each other. By leveraging digital technology such as mobile banking, digital payments, and access to credit and insurance services have made financial services accessible to individuals and businesses that were previously excluded.  

The digital economy generates new business models annually, attracting a broader range of players to the financial services industry, including fintechs and social networks. This diversity of providers and business models has enormous potential to advance financial inclusion and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Business models build proper connectivity through strategic partnerships, making it easier for innovators to offer valuable, affordable financial solutions. 

CGAP's research showcases various business models that effectively use digital technologies to create and provide financial solutions to people with low income. We demonstrate how increased connectivity can make it simpler for innovators to offer financial solutions that are both valuable and affordable. Our work focus ranges from the digitization of Microfinance, Open Finance, financial services for gig workers, data-driven financial Services, and more.  

As digital innovation continues to evolve, we will see even more creative solutions that will further promote financial inclusion and enhance the lives of individuals and communities worldwide. 

Latest Research

Publication

A Technical Guide to Unlock Agent Networks at the Last Mile

This guide outlines five key actions for DFS providers, regulators, and funders to expand rural CICO agent networks based on CGAP's global experience. These actions include building a vision for rural expansion, optimizing investment strategies for rural agents, and capturing the potential of women agents. 
Publication

Women Agents for Financial Inclusion: Exploring the Benefits, Constraints, and Potential Solutions

This working paper explores the benefits of having more women agents, the challenges they face, and potential solutions to promote their participation. It highlights that engaging women agents does not compromise performance and offers collaborative solutions for stakeholders to remove barriers and unlock the full potential of women in the DFS ecosystem.
Reading Deck

Engaging Financial Services Providers in the Context of G2P Choice

This deck aims to help implementers of G2P choice programs in better reaching recipients and achieving program objectives.

Latest Blogs

Blog

Regular Savings from Irregular Income: How Platforms Can Help

CGAP partnered with fintechs and platforms across Sub-Saharan Africa to understand how they are using digital rails to offer savings products to low-income gig workers. Here, we share what we found.
Blog

Is AI Intelligent Enough to Bolster Business Intelligence?

We discuss how business intelligence can be assisted by artificial intelligence today, and where we believe human input remains irreplaceable.
Blog

Inclusive CBDCs: Inflated Expectations or A New Productivity?

Where will central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) land on the Gartner Hype Cycle? Are they full of inflated expectations, or a new tool for greater financial inclusion? We explore where CBDCs might provide at least incremental gains.