G20 Brazil Policy Options for Bridging the Last Mile

This GPFI Guidance Note underscores the persistent challenges faced by people who remain financially excluded—often referred to as the “last mile.” These individuals, with diverse and complex needs, continue to face systemic barriers to accessing and benefiting from financial services. The Note highlights the critical role of financial inclusion in advancing key development priorities, including resilience to climate change, gender equality, and food security. By identifying shared barriers that hinder inclusion at the last mile, the Guidance Note provides actionable public policy options to address these challenges. The release of this Note reflects the shared commitment of the Alliance, its partners, and the GPFI to leave no one behind in the journey toward universal financial inclusion.

Key highlights of the report:

• Financial Inclusion Progress: Significant advancements have been made in global financial inclusion over the past decade. However, challenges persist, particularly for the “last mile” populations—those who remain excluded due to gender, geography, or socio-economic status. This group includes women, rural residents, and marginalized communities in developing countries.
• Barriers and Solutions: The report identifies systemic barriers such as limited access to IDs, mobile connectivity, and digital literacy. It proposes targeted public policies, including leveraging digital public infrastructure (DPI), promoting financial consumer protection, and fostering scalable innovations. The guidance emphasizes a whole-of-government approach to addressing these challenges, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure no one is left behind.
• Policy Recommendations: To enhance financial inclusion, the report suggests tailored approaches, such as digitalizing government-to-person payments, creating interoperable payment systems, and establishing inclusive agent networks. It stresses collaboration among public, private, and international stakeholders to build an equitable financial ecosystem that drives economic resilience and development.