Digital payments

How to create a digital ID for inclusive development

This USAID guide aims to: 1) illustrate how investments in ID systems impact individuals and their households; and 2) provide specific how-to guidance to help donors, program managers, and M&E specialists get started in thinking about ID ecosystems.

The Digital Lives of Refugees

This report by GSMA and UNHCR looks at the ways in which refugees are using mobile phones to help guide digital interventions by humanitarian organizations and mobile network operators.

Fintech notes: Rise of digital money

This IMF brief takes a first stab at tackling the questions surrounding the rise of new forms of digital money.

Understanding merchant payments landscape 

A new Karandaaz study shows that around 95% of merchants in Pakistan do not accept digital payments. To promote adoption, it calls for creating awareness among users, better infrastructure, interoperability and reliability of services.

Emerging trends in managing payment fraud

Based on surveys from 566 business leaders, a new VISA report finds that the top 3 (payments-related) fraud concerns are ID verification, data privacy, and transaction monitoring. It calls for taking a more holistic approach to fraud management which involves a mix of new technologies and new skills.

How to promote women's digital financial inclusion

Prepared at the request of the G7 French Presidency, this Gates Foundation report aims to be “a blueprint for improving digital financial inclusion in Africa.”

Mobile-delivered economic ID for inclusion of SMEs

Unregistered SMEs account for 65% of Nigeria’s GDP. Most of them often struggle to demonstrate their personal and business credentials to service providers and customers. This GSMA research finds that there is a need for new approaches to identity and mobile-delivered ‘economic ID’ solution holds promise.

Lessons from implementing P2G payments strategies

This GSMA study shares lessons from Orange’s work in West and Central Africa on implementing Person-to-Government (P2G) payment strategies.

The Effect of Payment Choices on Online Retail: Evidence from the 2016 Indian Demonetization

This Harvard Business School paper concludes that consumers who switch to digital payments maintain their purchase frequency but spend more and are less likely to return their purchases.

Client Voices: Rwandans Speak on Digital Financial Services

Based on a survey of over 1,200 people in three districts of Rwanda, this Smart Campaign report delves into the experiences of users of digital financial services.

Perspectives from SME banking leaders

IFC report aggregates responses from 114 SME banking executives serving more than 17.5 million small businesses.

The age of digital interdependence

The UN Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation released this report. It highlights the need for inclusivity and protection of human rights to ensure a safe digital future for all and shares 5 key recommendations.  

Consumer protection standards for digital credit 

Similar to the RDPGs, this Smart Campaign publication identifies standards for responsible digital financial services, especially credit. It aims to guide the practices of both fintechs and traditional financial service providers undergoing digital transformation. 

Imparting financial literacy through tablets

Digital Payments Adoption and the Demand for Cash: New International Evidence

Cash remains in high demand despite measures by governments to keep funds digital. This Central Bank of Colombia study finds that economic growth and lower interest rates have a role to play.

How policymakers can drive uptake of digital payments

New BCG publication discusses the foundational elements that raise the chances of a successful digital journey. Laying the foundations for a cashless economy, it says, should begin with an overarching national payments agenda driven by key stakeholders, including the government. 

Government targets higher adoption of FASTag

In a bid to promote adoption of FASTag, e-toll collection system, the Indian Government is planning to impose a double toll fee if non-FASTag vehicles enter the FASTag lane.

Report of the High-level committee on deepening of digital payments

Nandan Nilekani-led high-level panel submitted its report on deepening digital payments in India. It calls for pivoting the ecosystem from issuance to acceptance and shares practical recommendations for doing that. The report refers to 6 Alliance publications.

“Payment and Settlement Systems in India: Vision 2019 – 2021

With an aim to create a cash-lite economy, the Reserve Bank of India has published its “Payments System Vision 2021.” The document can be a useful resource for members like Ghana who are wor…

Do Mothers Prefer Digital Payments over Cash?

Government of Bangladesh shifted to digital payments to transfer education stipends directly to mobile phone accounts of nearly 13 million mothers. In this report, CGDev takes stock of how t…