Banks

Beyond Access: From Accounts to Opportunity

The World Bank’s Global Findex 2025 is a scorecard on how well countries, across the globe are transitioning from cash toward equitable digital payments. Headline number shows that 79 percent of adults now own an account, up 28 points since 2011. Financial exclusion for women remains significant and many accounts remain inactive.

Expanding Opportunities for Egypt’s Women- and Youth-Led MSMEs Through Digital Trade

A new collaboration between the Better Than Cash Alliance (the Alliance), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), and partners such as the African Union Women, Gender and Youth Directorate and AUDA-NEPAD is working to address persistent gaps in digital trade and financial inclusion.

Transforming Ethiopia’s Health Sector: Digitizing Payments for Improved Access and Efficiency

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health launched a nationwide Digital Health Payment Initiative in August 2024, aiming to revolutionize healthcare payments by making them more efficient, transparent, and inclusive through digital financial services.

Interoperability Between Central Bank Digital Currency Systems and Fast Payment Systems: A Technical Perspective

This report delves into the interoperability between central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and fast payment systems (FPS).

G20 Brazil Policy Options for Bridging the Last Mile

The Better Than Cash Alliance released the G20 Policy Options to Improve Last Mile Access, offering actionable public policy recommendations to tackle systemic barriers to financial inclusion.

UNDP welcomes the Better Than Cash Alliance to accelerate financial inclusion through responsible digital payments

The Better Than Cash Alliance has transitioned from UNCDF to join UNDP’s Sustainable Finance Hub

The Promises of Digital Bank Accounts for Low-income Individuals

This report examines the impact of transitioning beneficiaries of a large-scale cash transfer program from cash to direct deposits into digital bank accounts.

Our Work on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

DPI, encompassing digital payments, identification, and data exchange, can significantly accelerate financial inclusion and economic growth. By enabling secure, scalable, and interoperable systems, DPI reduces costs, enhances security, and expands access to underserved populations.

Global engagement in scaling instant payments: insights, strategies, and trust building

Over the past few months, the Alliance facilitated a series of peer exchanges, bringing together the architects of some of the world’s most dynamic digital payment platforms—systems that process billions of transactions monthly, such as India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Brazil’s rapidly evolving PIX.

Egypt’s central bank leads financial inclusion efforts for marginalized

In an exclusive interview, the Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt explains how the country spearheads its financial inclusion strategy to ensure broad access to financial services, particularly for people with disabilities.

Egypt’s central bank leads financial inclusion efforts for marginalised groups

Empowering Every Ability: Egypt's Pioneering Journey Towards Financial Inclusion

Central Bank of Egypt advances financial inclusion for persons with disabilities through targeted regulations, accessible services, and collaborative initiative

Our work in Bangladesh

Learn how the Alliance is advocating for inclusive digital payments for resilience and growth in Bangladesh.

Advancing Women-Led MSMEs through Digital Financial Inclusion

This paper outlines enablers and examples for policymakers, financial service providers, and civil society organizations to empower women entrepreneurs in leveraging digital financial services.

2023 Annual Report

Scaling responsible digital payments to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly financial equality for women

Scaling Responsible Digital Payments in the Indonesian Cocoa Sector

The Government of Indonesia, with the Indonesian cocoa sector and the Better Than Cash Alliance has conducted a first-of-its-kind sizing exercise to assess opportunities for digital financial inclusion for smallholder cocoa farmers.

Digital Payments Offer Enormous Opportunity for Ethiopia, Says Better Than Cash Alliance Africa Lead

Central Bank of Jordan Launches Second National Financial Inclusion Strategy

The Central Bank of Jordan commits to adopting the UN Principles for Responsible Digital Payments

Progress Report on the Implementation of the G20 High-Level Principles for Digital Financial Inclusion

This progress report compiles responses from a self-assessment survey conducted among both G20 and non-G20 countries, incorporating guidance from international standard-setting bodies. The aim is to produce a comprehensive summary highlighting key findings and suggesting potential next steps for the GPFI.

How to shape inclusive financial ecosystems with interoperable QR codes

Interoperability drives global digital inclusion. Over 25% more adults access government payments, but siloed systems hinder seamless transactions.