Digital payments

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.

Shaping Africa’s Digital Future: A Call for Sovereign Roadmaps

With the DPI Roadmap Playbook as a guide, Africa has a unique opportunity to shape a digital future that is people-first, inclusive, and sovereign.

2024 Annual Report - Powering financial inclusion, economic growth, and digital transformation

Responsible digital payments: Powering financial inclusion, economic growth, and digital transformation

We have reached a potent moment for the global DPI agenda. Through its G20 presidency, how can South Africa accelerate the momentum?

The co-authors are part of a consortium that came together to draft the DPI Roadmap Playbook, an effort welcomed by the Government of South Africa, which holds the 2025 G20 Presidency. The DPI Roadmap Playbook reflects input from many expert advisors, especially Deon Woods-Bell of the Gates Foundation, whose support was instrumental. This expert comment is published across each of the organization’s respective websites.

DPI Roadmap Playbook

Download the DPI Roadmap Playbook

Age of Asean: Building trust in Southeast Asia's digital future

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.

Maximising consumer voices in digital financial services policy-making

This report highlights strategies for advocating fair, safe, and sustainable DFS, addressing issues like resource constraints and the need for technical expertise.

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).

2024 Newsletter

Reflecting on digital payments for development, inclusion and transformation in 2024

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.

Responsible Digital Payments for All

UNDP Welcomes Better Than Cash Alliance and Introduces New Alliance Managing Director

Strategic Partnership to Enhance Financial Inclusion and Digital Payment Solutions

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

Call to Action: Health for All through Responsible Digital Payments

Despite global technological advancements, healthcare costs continue to push millions into extreme poverty every year. …

Accelerating digital payments through whole-of-government approach