South africa

Can electronic tax invoicing improve tax compliance?

This paper defines Republic of Korea’s motivation for Electronic Tax Invoicing (ETI), the implementation process, the legal and regulatory regimes, lessons learned, and future challenges for tax policy makers and tax authorities in developing countries.

Mobile for Development Utilities Annual Report

What are the key barriers to success in the mobile phone-enabled utility space? In this report, GSMA shares key trends and insights from its work with more than 40 organizations operating primarily in our member countries in Africa and Asia.

Near-term impact of India’s demonetization

New Harvard University paper looks at the impact of demonetization on the Indian economy. It finds that, in the near-term, the event led to “temporary reductions in employment, output, and credit.” But “there may be potential longer-term benefits” in several areas, including tax collection.

Introducing GSM-enabled PAYG Solar in Cambodia

The report tracks the implementation of a Cambodian company Kamwork’s pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar home systems (SHSs) with GSM-based machine-to- machine (M2M) connectivity to validate the business model and determine what level of support from GSM network coverage.

The Ups and Downs of India’s Digital Transformation

Indian economy is operating at an estimated $33 billion less cash than it would have without demonetization. Income tax buoyancy is at a decade high of 2.20. This Harvard Business Review art…

Governments can use digital financial technologies to fight corruption

China Breakthroughs: Pay it forward on cashless society

China cashing out as mobile payment soars (The Business Times)

China cashing out as mobile payment soars (AFP)

Alipay, WeChat Near $3 Trillion

bKash: Revolutionizing Mobile Financial Services in Bangladesh?

This study discusses the emergence of bKash as the m-banking pioneer in Bangladesh. It focuses on the services provided by bKash and its current operating scenario in Bangladesh. bKash’s str…

Bridging the Digital Divide and Supporting Increased Digital Trade: Scoping Study

The global economy is experiencing important technological shifts, with the rise of digital technology a key driver. This can be seen today in the rapid growth of the digital economy, broadl…

Financial technology business model as branchless banking for people in rural areas: Case study: Indonesia

This study designs business models for electronic payment services, utilizing the principle of branchless banking and reviewing relevant aspects of IT risk management, for rural area communities in Indonesia.

Country Diagnostic: Bangladesh

This Diagnostic Report shows Bangladesh is making significant strides toward a digital economy, and outlines specific policy measures that can underpin further digitization of payments into the future.

Aadhaar: Digital Inclusion and Public Services in India

Aadhaar, India’s program to provide a unique identity number for every resident, is the largest biometric identification program in the world. Launched in 2008, the program has created biome…

Building consumer demand for digital financial services–the new regulatory frontier

Digital financial services (DFS) are held out as key financial solutions for improving financial inclusion. However, targeted end users often offer little in the way of obvious profitable op…

Inclusive Growth Through Branchless Banking: A Review of Agent Banking and Its Impact

The paper explores the opportunities to overcome barriers to financial access in Bangladesh through branchless banking and emphasis that financial inclusion and inclusive growth could be advanced through existing work by Bangladesh bank on favorable agent banking policies

Mobile Banking for Empowerment Muslim Women Entrepreneur: Evidence from Asia (Indonesia and Bangladesh)

Through an extensive literature review, the paper provides evidence about role of mobile banking as well as branchless banking is significant for women entrepreneur’s empowerment, especially for financially including them.

Mobile Financial Services In Bangladesh

The report provides an overview of the MFS progress in Bangladesh and discusses how selection of staff and beneficiaries from USAID agriculture and health projects are using both traditional and mobile financial services.

Mobile Banking Operations and Banking Facilities to Rural People in Bangladesh

The paper estabishes that mobile applications are well positioned in Bangladesh’s m-commerce market and are capable of driving sales of high-end mobile phones while providing better services to the users.