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Blockchain Series: Blog 6
Paying Across Borders: Can Distributed Ledgers Bring Us Closer Together?
Blockchain Series: Blog 6
Blogs & Stories
In the IMF’s Fight Against Corruption, Digital Payments are a Powerful Weapon
IMF managing director Christine Lagarde is to be applauded for her recent leadership in the fight against corruption, and her recognition that there is an increasingly limited role for cash in digital economies.
Report
Cash Digitization: UN Collaboration, Coordination, and Harmonization Opportunities
New UN Better Than Cash Alliance’s Cash Digitization Study recommends strengthening cash assistance collaboration across UN agencies & partners, to improve coordination and harmonization.
Blogs & Stories
New Key to Help Unlock the Power of Digital Payments
Across the global policy community, the jury is now in about the power of digital payments to drive financial inclusion, particularly for women and the poor; improve efficiency and transparency in business and government; and support new economic opportunities. However, there is no consensus around the specific policy mix that will enable this potential to be fully realized.
Podcast
Going Cashless: An Opportunity to Accelerate Progress on the 2030 SDGs
Harvard Center for International Development (CID) hosts Better Than Cash Alliance on the CID Speaker Series Podcast.
Blog Post
The Digital Payments Opportunity: A Conversation
This blog was originally published on BSR.org
Blog Post
Why cash is a problem for businesses around the globe
This blog was originally published on The Practitioner Hub for Inclusive Business
Blog Post
Why having less cash can mean a better life
A third of adults struggle to get by without basic financial services to protect against hardship and save for the future. Ruth Goodwin-Groen, of the UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance, explains why moving from cash to digital payments can help reduce poverty and drive inclusive growth.
Report
The Future of Supply Chains: Why Companies are Digitizing Payments
New report underscores benefits of shifting from cash to digital payments in corporate supply chains
Case Study
Driving sales through digital working capital loans for small merchants
Unilever partnered with Mastercard and Kenya Commercial Bank to develop a digital working capital platform helping small merchants grow sale in Kenya, called Jaza Duka.
Case Study
Improving profitability through digital payments
McLeod Russel Uganda (MRUL) cut costs and increased financial inclusion for workers after transitioning to a secure mobile payment system in Uganda.
Case Study
Increasing supply chain transparency through digital payments
Gap Inc. has helped improve factory performance and promoted worker well-being by digitizing salaries for factory workers in India.
Report
10 reasons to be optimistic that full financial inclusion is possible through digital payments
The past decade has seen great strides in building awareness of the global financial inclusion agenda, and very positive steps in achieving tangible change.
Blog Post
“Digital payments can be a game-changer for farmers”
Interview with World Cocoa Foundation, Paul F. Macek, Vice President for Programs
Media Release
Gap Inc. Sets New Goal For Apparel Suppliers To Pay Garment Workers Digitally By 2020
Joins UN-based Better than Cash Alliance to Promote Financial Inclusion and Greater Supply Chain Transparency and Efficiency
Blog Post
Senegal’s commitment to digitizing payments at local level is setting an example for the region
By Jean Pascal Mvondo, West Africa’s Digital Government Lead, Better Than Cash Alliance
Blog Post
In India, digital payments are changing the game for women entrepreneurs
This blog post was originally published in the Huffington Post
Report
The Role of Digital Payments in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security
Finance Ministers of the economies of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) endorsed the new Better Than Cash Alliance report on the role of digital payments in sustainable agriculture on 21st October, in Viet Nam.
Media Release
New UN report reveals momentum for digital payments in Ghana could save over GHS 1 billion within next four years
With 37 percent of the value of all payments now made digitally, Ghana is on course to be a leader in the region, with great potential to expand economic opportunities for businesses
Media Release
Unilever raises the bar on private sector leadership to achieve the SDGs through digital payments
In a significant step towards integrating social benefits into business strategy, the UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance announced its newest member: Unilever.
Blog Post
In Kenya, better yields and inclusive agriculture start from your mobile wallet
One of the most important tools on Everline Wakhungu’s farm is her mobile phone.
Media Release
UN study: Digitization of Kenyan farmer payments helps tackle poverty
One Acre Fund cut payment losses and collection costs by over 80 percent, boosting farmers’ satisfaction and economic opportunity
Resource
CURRENCY OF TRUST: Consumer Behaviors and Attitudes Toward Digital Financial Services in India
This report provides a synthesis of the “Currency of Trust” study findings.
Case Study
Social Networks, e-Commerce Platforms, and the Growth of Digital Payment Ecosystems in China: What it Means for Other Countries
Social Networks, e-Commerce Platforms, and the Growth of Digital Payment Ecosystems in China: What it Means for Other Countries
Resource
The March Towards Digital Money: Bringing The Underbanked In From The Cold
The March Towards Digital Money: Bringing The Underbanked In From The Cold
Media Release
To improve the lives of nearly 2 million workers, H&M group will encourage suppliers to pay workers digitally
H&M group becomes the first global fashion brand to join the United Nations’ Better Than Cash Alliance
Case Study
Digitizing Wage Payments in Bangladesh’s Garment Production Sector
Digitizing Wage Payments in Bangladesh’s Garment Production Sector
Resource
Global Landscape Study on Digitizing P2G Payments
This is the first comprehensive study to systematically examine the opportunities and challenges associated with digitising P2G payments. In undertaking this study, we sought to answer two central questions: “Can digitising P2G payments help drive the financial inclusion of poor consumers?” and “What does it take to set up efficient, sustainable, and inclusive payment systems for government fees and services?
Webinar
Watch: Making Digital Payments Safe for All
At today’s webinar, experts from Paytm in India, Tigo in Tanzania and the Banking Superintendency from Peru revealed key insights on how to responsibly navigate the transition from cash to digital payments in emerging economies.
Resource
Digital Finance and Innovations in Financing Education
This Brief looks at the innovations linked to digital finance and education.
Report
Accelerators to an Inclusive Digital Payments Ecosystem
Many governments have already realized major benefits by digitizing payments. Yet these successes also raise important questions. Why are so many developing and emerging countries only in the early stages of their journey to cashless? Why haven’t successes been rolled out more widely?
Media Release
New United Nations Study Maps Top 10 Ways Governments and Companies Can Create Digital Economies
For the first time, new evidence from 25 countries shows how governments and companies can move away from cash, as McKinsey Global Institute reveals a potential $3.7 trillion GDP boost
Media Release
New United Nations Study: Digital payments could boost tax revenue by nearly US$500 million each year and drive economic modernization in Tanzania
Findings illustrate how the private and public sector could work together to modernize economies, improve transparency and support financial inclusion and growth
Case Study
Person-to-Government Payments: Lessons from Tanzania’s Digitization Efforts
This case study explores the factors both supporting and impeding the widespread adoption of Person-to-Government (P2G) and Business-to-Government (B2G) payments in Tanzania, focusing on the period from 2012 to 2016.
Blog Post
Responsible Digital Payments: Reducing the risks that come with new opportunities
It’s all at our fingertips. The possibility to make a payment. The delight of receiving one. From Peru to Rwanda to India, people, governments and businesses are increasingly making their payment transactions digitally, whether by mobile phone, by card or online.
Case Study
Responsible Digital Payments Guidelines
The Better Than Cash Alliance 'Responsible Digital Payments Guidelines' identify eight good practices for engaging with clients who are sending or receiving digital payments and who have previously been financially excluded or underserved.
Resource
Alliance featured in Anatalya outcome document
Better Than Cash Alliance featured in Anatalya Comprehensive High-level Midterm Review
Blog Post
Digital payments are key implementation tool for Global Goals, say EU leaders
During this year’s European Development Days (EDDs), which took place in Brussels from 15-16 June, digital technologies and the digitization of payments emerged as key enablers for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Blog Post
India’s digital payments revolution
Joint post by Camilo Tellez-Merchan of Better than Cash Alliance and Vivek Belgavi of PwC India
Media Release
El camino de México hacia la inclusión financiera empieza con el compromiso de reducir el uso del efectivo
Una de las economías más grandes de América Latina mantiene el ritmo de crecimiento al unirse a la Alianza Better Than Cash de las Naciones Unidas para fomentar una economía de inclusión financiera
Media Release
Mexico’s route to financial inclusion begins with commitment to reduce the use of cash
One of the largest economies in Latin America keeps growth momentum going by joining the United Nations’ Better Than Cash Alliance to foster a financially inclusive economy
Blogs & Stories
Afghanistan: Moving police salary payments to mobile accounts
Guest Post By the Treasury General Directorate, Ministry of Finance, Government of Afghanistan
Case Study
Saving Money, Saving Lives: A Case Study on the Benefits of Digitizing Payments to Ebola Response Workers in Sierra Leone
At the height of the Ebola crisis, Sierra Leone turned to mobile wallets to make fast, accurate, and secure payments to Response Workers. Before digitization, cash payments were slow, inaccurate, and open to graft and theft.
Case Study
Building a Gateway to Digital Payments in Afghanistan: The World Food Programme’s E-Voucher Initiative
In Afghanistan, the World Food Programme (WFP) turned to digital payments to deliver food aid and has experienced many benefits by transitioning to e-vouchers and mobile money.
Media Release
Une nouvelle étude des Nations unies révèle que les paiements numériques versés aux équipes d'intervention contre Ebola ont permis de sauver des vies et d'économiser 10 millions de dollars
En utilisant les paiements numériques pour rémunérer les personnes employées dans la lutte contre Ebola, la Sierra Leone a énormément réduit les délais de paiement, évitant ainsi des grèves à grande échelle et garantissant une main d’œuvre stable pour éliminer Ebola. L'expérience de la Sierra Leone montre qu'il est crucial de se préparer tôt aux paiements numériques avant l'émergence d'une crise.
Resource
Making Electronic Payments Work for Humanitarian Response
This report builds the case for electronic payment preparedness to support humanitarian interventions by providing a baseline analysis of existing donor support for electronic payment preparedness and actual electronic payment preparedness needs in select high-risk disaster prone countries.
Media Release
Uruguay makes great strides toward the universalization of access to financial services
The government joins the United Nations-based alliance of governments, companies and international organizations that works to accelerate the move toward digitization of payments
Media Release
Uruguay avanza firmemente hacia la universalización del acceso a servicios financieros
El Gobierno se suma a la alianza que, con base en las Naciones Unidas, reúne a gobiernos, empresas y organizaciones internacionales dedicadas a acelerar la digitalización de pagos
Blog Post
Mobile money promotes messages of peace in Cote d’Ivoire
Many Ivoirians were concerned that the 2015 presidential elections would lead to renewed conflict, particularly after the violence surrounding the elections of 2010.
Resource
Beyond Cash: Incentivizing Merchant Acceptance in India
India has made remarkable progress towards financial inclusion, but the use of digital payments remains limited
Media Release
El Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo será el primer banco regional de desarrollo en unirse a una alianza que promueve pagos digitales
La organización se une a una alianza organizada por la Naciones Unidas para unir gobiernos, empresas y organizaciones internacionales en el esfuerzo para avanzar pagos digitales
Media Release
Inter-American Development Bank becomes first regional development bank to join partnership to advance digital payments
The organization joins a UN-hosted alliance of governments, companies and international organizations to accelerate the move towards digitization of payments
Blog Post
Ugandan farmers – majority women - devise new mobile solution
Farmers are adapting mobile technology to meet market needs and drive progress on their own terms rather than waiting for telecommunications companies to deliver solutions
Resource
Chilling effect of anti-money-laundering policies for poor countries
Unintended Consequences of Anti–Money Laundering Policies for Poor Countries
Blog Post
Moldova pledges to digitize payments for all public services, joins Better Than Cash Alliance
The Republic of Moldova has joined the UN-housed Better Than Cash Alliance to make digital payments for all public services a reality by 2020.
Blog Post
UN Secretariat set to boost digital payments within UN system
On behalf of the United Nations’ Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Controller, announced that the UN Secretariat had just joined the Better Than Cash Alliance, committing to transitioning payments from cash to digital within the UN system.
Report
The Journey Toward Cash Lite-Addressing Poverty Saving Money and Increasing Transparency by Accelerating the Shift to Electronic Payments
This study:
Media Release
Leading global experts priotize key measures to optimize digital finance for world's poorest people
ANTALYA, Turkey - How are phones and cards changing the ways the global poor access and manage their money, and what should governments and financial institutions do to ensure innovative products and services meet the need of low-income customers? These and related topics were the subject of intense discussion and debate by leading global experts at a G20-backed event this week in Antalya, Turkey, one of the countries being transformed by digital innovation.
Blog Post
Three ways financial providers can improve digital financial services for women
by Emilia Klimiuk and Lisa Kienzle of Grameen Foundation
Media Release
India Announces New Partnership to Accelerate Financial Inclusion for Everyone
Government of India joins the United Nations’ Better Than Cash Alliance to share success stories from the world’s largest financial inclusion programme
Blog Post
Cashing out: Ruth Goodwin Groen in The Economist Intelligence Unit
Crossposted from the original post that appeared in The Economist Intelligence Unit
Blog Post
The Better Than Cash Journey: Concern and CARE
This is the fourth in a series of articles written by Maura Hart on the achievements of several Better Than Cash Alliance members. These highlights capture the innovative work by governments, businesses and development organizations to fulfill their commitment to transition from cash to digital payments.
Blog Post
The Better Than Cash Journey: Colombia & Malawi
This is the second in a series of articles written by Maura Hart on the achievements of several Better Than Cash Alliance members. These highlights capture the innovative work by governments, businesses and development organizations to fulfill their commitment to transition from cash to digital payments.
Blog Post
Closing the gender gap in mobile phone access and use
Guest post by Shireen Santosham, GSMA Connected Women
Media Release
Making Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021 a reality, Government joins the Better Than Cash Alliance
Bangladesh commits to further national financial inclusion by accelerating the transition to digital payments
Media Release
Sierra Leone commits to digital payments to encourage growth
In key move to recover from the economic impact of the Ebola crisis, Nation joins the Better Than Cash Alliance
Blog Post
An infrastructure approach to improving Financial Inclusion
The Better Than Cash Alliance is introducing an occasional series on innovations that have the potential to reduce costs in digital payments. The first in this series is an article by Ryan Zagone and Danny Aranda from Ripple Labs, a technology company that develops real-time settlement solutions for financial institutions.
Media Release
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
Media Release
Papua New Guinea commits to digitizing all government payments
PNG’s Ministries of Finance and Treasury endorse Better Than Cash Alliance membership
Blog Post
Mercy Corps recognized for providing emergency e-transfers to 25,000 Typhoon survivors in the Philippines
Beneficiaries received electronic transfers via mobile savings accounts
Blog Post
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.
Resource
Assessing risk in digital payments (Gates)
This report aims to provide a common language and framework to guide dialogue on risk associated with digital payments and its bearing on financial inclusion.
Resource
Federal Reserve strategies for improving the US payment system
The Federal Reserve believes that the U.S. payment system is at a critical juncture in its evolution.
Blog Post
Thousands of Ebola workers paid in Liberia
Monrovia, LIBERIA - UNDP has helped the Liberian government pay thousands of Ebola workers. Over $1 million dollars in cash payments were distributed across the country in January alone.
Blog Post
Mobile money for 16,000 Ebola workers
December 24 , 2014. Sierre Leone: Marion Sesay gossiped with her two work colleagues while they waited in the shade of a local money handler for their names to be called.
Media Release
Ghana joins Better Than Cash Alliance for greater financial transparency
Ghana joins Better Than Cash Alliance for greater financial transparency
Media Release
Le Ghana rejoint l’Alliance Better Than Cash pour une plus grande transparence financière
Le Ghana rejoint l’Alliance Better Than Cash pour une plus grande transparence financière
Blog Post
Twitter Chat: Digital Payments in Developing Countries
Join the Better Than Cash Alliance and our partners for an online discussion about safety and transparency in digital payments.
Media Release
Rwanda to accelerate digital payments by joining the Better Than Cash Alliance
Rwanda to accelerate digital payments by joining the Better Than Cash Alliance
Media Release
Le Rwanda accélère l’adoption des paiements numériques en rejoignant l’Alliance Better Than Cash
Le Rwanda accélère l’adoption des paiements numériques en rejoignant l’Alliance Better Than Cash
Media Release
World Bank Report: Digital payments vital to economic growth
Gates Foundation and Better Than Cash Alliance urge governments to embrace digital financial services, offers concrete action steps
Blog Post
Paving the Way for Responsible Digital Finance
By Beth Porter, Policy Advisor, Financial Inclusion, UNCDF, Advisor, Better Than Cash Alliance
Resource
Cash Transfers Poised to Aid National Governments in Times of Crisis
Aid National Governments
Resource
The Financial Action Task Force cautions on the use of virtual currencies
Virtual Currencies
Media Release
Women’s World Banking Joins the Better Than Cash Alliance
One Million Low-Income People to Reap Benefits of Digital Money
Blog Post
First There Was Cash-for-Assets – Could WFP’s New E-Payments Model be Scaled Up Too?
Kenya has been hailed as one of the developing world’s leaders in electronic payments. So it should come as no surprise that a sparsely populated, dusty village 500 kilometres from Nairobi is home to a pilot project testing whether an electronic delivery model for aid can be viable on a larger, commercial scale. Drought prone Merti is a small town in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), of northern Kenya where The World Food Programme, MasterCard and local partner Equity Bank have been running a pilot point-of-sale electronic payments programme. .
Resource
Building State Capacity: Evidence from Biometric Smartcards in India
Article by Karthik Muralidharan, Paul Niehaus, Sandip Sukhtankar
Media Release
Catholic Relief Services Joins Better Than Cash Alliance
CRS Commits to Increase Electronic Payments to Strengthen Local Economies
Case Study
Electronic Payments within a Limited Financial Infrastructure: Uganda’s Search for a Viable E-payments Solution to deliver Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE)
Reaching nearly 100,000 of Uganda’s senior and vulnerable citizens, Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) has demonstrated the need for tenacity and flexibility as it works to create a transparent and efficient social protection system in a country with limited payment infrastructure that is prone to a lack of transparency and leakage.
Blog Post
E-donate to help Typhoon Haiyan survivors
Two months ago, Mr Paolo Baltao, President of G-Xchange, a subsidiary of Globe Telecom, one of the leading telecommunications services providers in the Philippines
Blog Post
WFP's new e-card reduces Syrian refugees suffering
As part of its massive humanitarian response to the Syrian crisis, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is rolling out an innovative electronic voucher programme in Lebanon that will allow hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees to meet their food needs and help boost the local economy.
Blog Post
Learning From Peers Speeds the Digitization Process
Budget Under-Secretary Richard Bon Moya knew he was being ambitious. The goal was to shift all the financial transactions of the Filipino Government to a digital format—and to do it in five years. Most countries attempting such a feat had taken seven to 10 years. But there was one that had managed a quick, relatively seamless transition: Kenya.
Media Release
MasterCard Joins Better Than Cash Alliance
$1.5 Million Grant Adds Momentum to Global Movement to Empower People and Grow Economies by Shifting from Cash to Electronic Payments
Blog Post
Debit cards provide flexibility to displaced families in Mali
Eighteen-year-old Djélika Haïdara was pregnant when she fled her home in northern Mali to escape the violent aftermath of a military coup. She and her extended family were among more than 227,000 people displaced within Mali. Djélika and her baby now live in Bamako, the nation’s capital, in a rented apartment with 20 other family members.
Blog Post
Share Your Thoughts: What Are “Responsible” Digital Payments?
The Better Than Cash Alliance and UNCDF participated a meeting of the Responsible Finance Community of Practice (CoP) on June 25th 2013 in Berlin, Germany. Participants agreed that one key issue for the CoP to address in the future is what “responsible” means for new financial service businesses in emerging economies, including digital payments.
Blog Post
Why Women Remain an Untapped Potential in Mobile Money
It’s hard to imagine a more explosive, transformative, and empowering trend than the growth of the mobile phone sector in Africa. In 1998 there were fewer than 4 million phones on the continent; today there are around 800 million—a whopping 80 percent penetration. Compare this to the meager 24 percent of African adults with bank accounts. Experts expect there will be around 1.1 billion mobile phone subscribers by 2017.
Media Release
Malawi Joins Better Than Cash Alliance
Malawi Announces Commitment to Transition to Electronic Payments
Media Release
MEDA Joins the Better Than Cash Alliance
Pledges to Improve Access to Finance and Markets for the Poor by Supporting Shift to Electronic Payments
Blog Post
ACDI/VOCA: Why Electronic Payments are Game-Changing for Development Practitioners
At ACDI/VOCA we see firsthand how technological innovations are revolutionizing approaches to global economic development. This is particularly true for electronic payments. Around 2.5 billion people around the world are “unbanked.” Without access to financial services, they can’t save for the future, build assets or get credit. For those who do have access, the services are often rudimentary and inefficient. Electronic payments open doors and create lasting benefits for this underserved population by providing access to robust, modern financial services.
Media Release
Grameen Foundation Joins the Better Than Cash Alliance
Grameen Foundation Joins Better Than Cash Alliance; Pledges to Address Poverty by Shifting to Electronic Payments
Media Release
ACDI/VOCA Joins the Better Than Cash Alliance
ACDI/VOCA Joins the Better Than Cash Alliance — Pledges to Address Poverty and Grow the Economy by Shifting to Electronic Payments
Resource
Unlocking the Potential-Women and Mobile Financial Services in Emerging Markets
Unlocking the Potential
Media Release
Government of Afghanistan Joins Better Than Cash Alliance
Government of Afghanistan Joins Better Than Cash Alliance — Pledges to Address Poverty and Grow Economy by Shifting to Electronic Payments
Blog Post
Better Than Cash Alliance Perspectives: The Development Community
Around the world, 2.5 billion people lack access to formal financial services.
Media Release
Aquino Admin Says ‘Digitisation’ a Priority Goal
Aquino Admin Says ‘Digitisation’ a Priority Goal
Blogs & Stories
What’s Better than Cash?
“We are excited to be joining our partners in announcing the Better than Cash Alliance today. Committed to moving the global community onto electronic payments in place of physical cash, the Alliance will help the world’s poorest families join the modern economy and realize the benefits of a more transparent, inclusive, cash-light world. I’m optimistic that this Alliance will help usher in a new era of opportunity for some of the most vulnerable people on earth.”
Media Release
Initiative Launched to Accelerate Global Shift to Electronic Payments for the Poor
Initiative Launched to Accelerate Global Shift to Electronic Payments for the Poor
Media Release
Empowering People One Transaction at a Time
Empowering People One Transaction at a Time: Leading Corporations, Foundations and Development Organizations Form “Better Than Cash Alliance” to Accelerate Global Shift to Electronic Payments
Resource
Visa Delivers the Benefits of Electronic Payments to the Trucking Industry in Brazil
How Visa Improved Processes in Brazilian Trucking Industry
Resource
Plugging into Mobile Money Platforms: Early Experiences of NGOs in the Field
Plugging into Mobile Money Platforms: Early Experiences of NGOs in the Field
Resource
Bansefi Visa Debit and Prepaid Cards Create “Oportunidades” for Mexico ’s Financially Underserved
Creating Opportunities for Mexico’s Underserved
Resource
Payment Systems Worldwide: a Snapshot
Financial Infrastructure Series: Payment Systems Policy And Research
Resource
Visa Empowers Employees and Businesses with Payroll Cards
Currency of Progress: Greetings from Nashville
