Africa middle east

Middle East and North Africa Economic Monitor, October 2018: A New Economy in Middle East and North Africa

This report lays out the principles for a new digital economy for MENA that embraces innovation and entrepreneurship, youth and women economic empowerment, rekindling the role of State, etc.

McKinsey: The future of payments in the Middle East

Through surveys with consumers and payments practitioners, McKinsey share anticipated trends which will shape the region’s ‘payments revolution’ over the next five years.

Africa agriculture status report 2015: Youth and agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa

Each year, 10 million young Africans enter the continent’s workforce, more than ever before. Although this highlights the great challenge of youth unemployment, it could also be a great oppo…

Balancing financial inclusion and data protection in South Africa: Black Sash Trust v Minister of Social Development

The participation of many underprivileged social clusters in the financial services sector has invariably been problematic in South Africa. This may be attributed to the country’s laws and p…

The State Of Inclusive Instant Payment Systems In Africa

The report assesses the landscape of 32 instant payment systems in Africa, measuring their performance on criteria such as interoperability, use cases, channels, and governance.

Mobile Money and the importance of timely, complete payments to frontline health campaign workers in the fight to eradicate polio: pilot experience from a WHO digital payment platform in Africa

IFC: Women and e-commerce in Africa

In Africa, the number of online shoppers has increased by an average of 18% every year since 2014. IFC’s report shows that closing earnings gaps between women and men on e-commerce platforms could add over $280 billion to the value of Africa’s e-commerce market.

The state of social assistance in Africa

The UNDP report analyzes the recent growth across three foundational dimensions of social assistance in the continent - legal frameworks, institutions and financing.

Next Steps for the Digital Revolution in Africa: Inclusive Growth and Job Creation Lessons from Kenya

This paper provides examples of how digitization in Kenya has supported the economy via a retail electronic payments system, financial inclusion, increased financial sector vibrancy, and pushed GDP growth with it.

8 ways to boost Africa's digital ecosystem

The World Economic Forum and International Trade Centre’s “Africa e-commerce agenda” discusses 8 policy areas - including enhancing digital payments - that can help unleash the potential of e-commerce in the continent.

A handbook on regional integration in Africa: Towards Agenda 2063

The Handbook advices and informs on current dynamics, opportunities, challenges and policy options for Africa’s regional integration agenda.

In South-East Asia, Grab and Gojek bring banking to the masses

Why should retailers shift to digital payments? An average digital payments user of Grab, a ride-hailing service, makes twice as many transactions than those who use cash and is 30% more lik…

Accelerating Financial Inclusion in South-East Asia with Digital Finance

Focussing on women, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the paper highlights that digital financial solutions could play a significant part in closing gaps in financial inclusion and povides insights from Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

An Introduction to Digital Tax Payment Systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The paper provides an overview of digital payment systems’ types, benefits, and challenges for tax collection in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

2017 State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money

The mobile money industry is now processing a billion dollars a day and generating direct revenues of over $2.4 billion. With 690 million registered accounts worldwide, mobile money has evol…

Decade Edition of the State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money

The report charts the story of mobile money covering a decade of progress, industry lessons,impact and the future of the industry.

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.

Investing In Girls: Opportunities for Innovation in Girl-Centered Cash Transfers

This paper suggests policymakers and other stakeholders should leverage trends toward financially-inclusive e-payments as a means to achieve multiple potential objectives for bringing financial inlcusion to adolescent girls.

Fintech and Financial Inclusion: Lessons Learned

CGAP worked with 18 fintech pilots across Africa and Asia. This set of case studies describes for each pilot the service that was piloted, the nature of its testing, and emerging lessons. Th…

Should graduation programmes replace the more conventional cash transfers? 

What comes after unconditional cash transfers? Does the inclusion of some form of graduation programs offer a more sustainable solution to poverty? Read this blog to learn more about the deb…