AVLAn interview with the founder of Flex Finance, a Nigerian app for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Flex Finance which won AVL’s fintech startup builder program competition last year in November helps businesses budget, track expenses, and other financial management tasks. According to the founder Yemi Olulana, the app has proved useful for small
CGAPWhat questions should policymakers consider to ensure agents reach as many people as possible with assistance during and after the COVID-19 crisis? CGAP notes that of all existing cash-in and cash-out (CICO) networks the most far-reaching among low-income customers — agent networks — are struggling and often are overlooked by policymakers. CGAP lists three questions below
FIBRCatalyst Fund shares several examples of how its portfolio are helping customers in emerging economies through the COVID-19 crisis. By using their existing solutions and additional innovations, the fintechs are helping people access critical health insurance, send money to their families, access essential goods and services, and better manage current finances via financial advice. In
CGAPCGAP’s new publication examines the opportunities for humanitarian actors in Lebanon and Jordan to use the cash and voucher assistance (CVA) programs as a pathway to financial inclusion. Syrian refugees in the two countries receive more than a quarter of their humanitarian assistance in the form of cash and vouchers. CGAP observes that there are
AVLThis product testing guide by Accion Venture Lab is made for early-stage fintech companies who want to test, evaluate, and implement new ideas. Companies can use this guide to navigate the decisions around testing, iterating, and improving their products. Included in the guide is how to build a test-friendly culture in your organization, an experiment
GSMAGSMA’s new Mobile Money API Industry Report shares how mobile money providers are moving towards seamless integrations. The report is based on survey responses from mobile money providers globally. A key finding is that despite the growing ecosystem, only 32% of operators surveyed are exposing their APIs publicly and most providers have adopted a proprietary
CGAPRefugees and host communities in Lebanon are faced with high levels of financial exclusion, a situation that is usually made worse by health-related shocks. A 2019, study by the World Bank Group and CGAP found that these communities tend to rely on informal mechanisms to manage irregular cash-flows, such as converting cash to gold, borrowing
GSMAIn Benin, the introduction of PAYG led to increased mobile network operators subscriber activity according to a study by the GSMA, shedding light on the relationship between PAYG solar adoption and mobile financial services. The study found that the joint efforts between the mobile operators and PAYG solar companies led to an increase in transactions, new
MercyCorps AFAFor the last five years, AgriFin Accelerate(AFA) and partners designed and deployed digital platforms that enabled farmers in Tanzania access finances, information and learning content. Looking back on the five years at a recent learning event, AgriFin and partners found there is a strong business case for such platforms but also emphasized that human channels are
UNCDFIn Zambia, smallholder farmers do not have to travel long distances to transact if they opt to use Agripay, a digital banking platform. The platform developed through a partnership between the Zambia National Commercial Bank, Agrifin Accelerate and UNCDF ensures that farmers have access to more than financial services even in the remotest areas. Through