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Building State Capacity: Evidence from Biometric Smartcards in India

NBER Working Paper No. 19999
Issued in March 2014

Summary:

We evaluate the impact of biometrically-authenticated payments infrastructure (“Smartcards”) on beneficiaries of employm…

Better Than Cash Alliance Recognized As Example for Effective Development

On April 15-16, 2014 the Better Than Cash Alliance presented at the First High Level Meeting for Effective Development Cooperation in Mexico City, Mexico.

London Borough of Lewisham: Care leavers receive allowance via prepaid card

The London Borough of Lewisham is an inner-city district serving over 248,000 people.

When young people who have been placed in the Borough’s care leave it at the age of 18, they receiv…

Digitizing merchant payments in Bangladesh

Better placement of marketing materials can help boost usage of digital payments in small merchants. What are some other ways to drive usage? Read this IFC report that is based on feedback and learnings from early adopters of bKash in Bangladesh.

Forum Highlights Global Standards For Responsible Digital Finance

Forum Highlights Global Standards For Responsible Digital Finance…

Measuring Digital Payments’ Significance: GSMA Reboots Kenyan M-PESA Data

For stakeholders engaged in the shift from cash to electronic payments, there is an ever-present appetite for data on progress.

In China, UN Special Advocate Queen Máxima Sees Great Potential for Digital Financial Inclusion

At the invitation of the government of China, Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands visited the country from 24 to 28 November in her capacity as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adv…

The International Fund for Agricultural Development joins Better Than Cash Alliance

The International Fund for Agricultural Development joins Better Than Cash Alliance to bring financial inclusion to rural communities

Shifting from cash in the midst of crisis: Electronic transfers in the Democratic Republic of Congo

There is growing consensus in the humanitarian community that cash (digital or physical) – as opposed to delivery of food and materials – is often the best way to help communities bounce back from crisis.

Going digital: keeping postal services as relevant as ever

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Digitization of payments in Mexico saves billions

The Mexican government is saving an estimated US$ 1.27 billion per year, or 3.3 percent of its total expenditure, on wages, pensions and social transfers. How? By digitizing and centralizing…

Papua New Guinea commits to digitizing all government payments

The Government of Papua New Guinea joined the Better Than Cash Alliance and committed to digitizing all government payments.

Women’s World Banking offers lessons for creating a successful agency banking network

As we approach International Women’s Day on March 8th, Women’s World Banking reflects on a learning exchange with three African banks committed to serving low-income women….

Two challenges to help two billion reach financial security

Reposted from the original Gates Foundation blog on Impatient Optimists. Until recently, achieving financial inclusion for the world’s unbanked poor was a pressing goal with perplexing obstacles.

Mercy Corps recognized for providing emergency e-transfers to 25,000 Typhoon survivors in the ‪‎Philippines‬ ‬‬‬‬‬

Beneficiaries received electronic transfers via mobile savings accounts

Going rural with digital financial services

When a family member first told Mary that she could use her mobile phone to store her money, she felt that she had finally found a safe place to keep the earnings from her vegetable sales….

Papua New Guinea commits to digitizing all government payments

PNG’s Ministries of Finance and Treasury endorse Better Than Cash Alliance membership

In line with strategy to mature into an emerging economy, Nepal joins the Better Than Cash Alliance

Government aims for economic growth and women’s empowerment through digital payments initiative…

Malawi takes key step to advance digital payments and drive inclusive growth

Government, private sector, mobile operators and development organizations convene to establish a plan for the future…

Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021: Bangladesh joins the Better Than Cash Alliance

Millions of Bangladeshis, especially women, will benefit from a commitment by the Government of Bangladesh to expand financial inclusion