The Role of Digitalisation in Inclusive Financial Systems

Financial inclusion is a key element of social inclusion and particularly useful in combating poverty and income inequality by opening otherwise blocked opportunities for disadvantaged segments of the population. It is for this reason seen as a complementary approach to meeting
the Sustainable Development Goals. In the last 15 years, Digital Financial Services (DFS), specifically mobile money, categorised as non-bank in [ Figure 1], has had a profound impact on financial inclusion. Research by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation found, “Mobile money had direct impacts on consumption, the ability to cope with shocks, and extreme poverty.”1 Mobile money does not require a person to have a bank account, but solely a mobile phone number. This innovation has been the driver in increasing global account ownership from 51% to 76% between 2011 and 20212. In recent years, there has been a shift from access to usage of financial services, this commonly referred to as Inclusive Digital Economies and which highlights new opportunities to transform the lives of marginalised populations. This brief presents evidence and considerations for opportunities digitalisation presents in reducing poverty through increased financial inclusion. In turn, this information can facilitate informed decision making on possibilities for support with greater impact for Sida’s target groups.