http://www.cgap.org/blogs-we-like?tag=All& en http://www.cgap.org/blog/how-boma-using-technology-reach-extreme-poor “Now I can send all the data in a second!” Thu, 20 Oct 2016 17:01:55 -0400 Upoma Husain http://www.cgap.org/blog/how-boma-using-technology-reach-extreme-poor http://www.cgap.org/blog/wave-money-myanmar-power-smartphone-design In less than a decade, mobile money has proven to be an effective means of increasing financial access in frontier markets. In the process, it has brought significant economic benefits to the countries that have fostered its development. Tue, 18 Oct 2016 17:55:19 -0400 Brad Jones http://www.cgap.org/blog/wave-money-myanmar-power-smartphone-design http://www.cgap.org/blog/emerging-opportunities-digital-finance-indonesia The recent visit to Indonesia by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA) – H.M. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands – provided a unique opportunity to better understand key accomplishments, challenges and opportunities for financial inclusion in the country. Mon, 17 Oct 2016 19:15:54 -0400 Eric Duflos http://www.cgap.org/blog/emerging-opportunities-digital-finance-indonesia http://www.cgap.org/blog/paying-school-6-insights-better-financial-services The inability to pay fees and other education expenses keeps many children out of school. What is the extent of these challenges, who is affected and what kinds of financial services could help? These questions are further explored below, and in a new CGAP publication, “Digital Finance and Innovations in Financing for Education.” Fri, 14 Oct 2016 19:03:37 -0400 Michelle Kaffenberger, Lauren Braniff http://www.cgap.org/blog/paying-school-6-insights-better-financial-services http://www.cgap.org/blog/why-we-need-start-talking-about-operational-inefficiencies Can you think of any industry more efficient than microfinance? Every day, lenders around the world master the challenge of lending small sums of money to otherwise disenfranchised clients, all the while tracking portfolio data, managing an array of risks, and conforming to complex banking regulations. Now that most markets have matured, the increased competition has driven them to target ever more challenging groups—all the way down to remote, off-the-grid farmers. Tue, 11 Oct 2016 18:17:26 -0400 Diana Cazacu, Till Bruckner http://www.cgap.org/blog/why-we-need-start-talking-about-operational-inefficiencies http://www.cgap.org/blog/power-smartphone-interfaces-mobile-money A number of organizations have collaborated to bring out an initial set of 21 principles for the design of smartphone interfaces and mobile money. We hold that this is a powerful new area of research and testing that can harness the power of smartphones to better serve the poor. Thu, 06 Oct 2016 11:55:13 -0400 Greg Chen http://www.cgap.org/blog/power-smartphone-interfaces-mobile-money http://www.cgap.org/blog/how-financial-inclusion-can-boost-nation%E2%80%99s-health-well-being The health plight of low-income households is illustrated by Isaac and Monicah, participants in the Kenya Financial Diaries study. Shortly after delivering her third baby, Monicah fell ill. It was not long before the couple had exhausted their funds on medicine and inconclusive diagnostics. Eventually Monicah was diagnosed with a throat tumor that required surgery. Wed, 05 Oct 2016 17:05:42 -0400 Lisa Morgan, Craig Churchill http://www.cgap.org/blog/how-financial-inclusion-can-boost-nation%E2%80%99s-health-well-being http://www.cgap.org/blog/digital-credit-kenya-time-celebration-or-concern There are now more than 20 digital credit offerings in Kenya, and new services are launching continually. The hype is similarly growing about the opportunities these products could offer, from increased household liquidity, to small business loans for entrepreneurs. Many users appreciate the convenience and speed of accessing a loan from their phone, and digital credit can be a safer option than informal moneylenders. Mon, 03 Oct 2016 18:56:06 -0400 Michelle Kaffenberger, Patrick Chege http://www.cgap.org/blog/digital-credit-kenya-time-celebration-or-concern http://www.cgap.org/blog/delivering-education-all-role-mobile-money Parents worldwide want their children to have greater opportunities than they did, and education can be the ticket. The Sustainable Development Goals call for free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education for all by 2030. But for many low-income families, education can be out of reach as they struggle to cover the cost. Wed, 28 Sep 2016 12:13:05 -0400 Lauren Braniff, Susan E. Pleming http://www.cgap.org/blog/delivering-education-all-role-mobile-money http://www.cgap.org/blog/digital-social-payments-india-can-challenges-be-overcome Three years ago, India began transferring government benefits directly into recipients’ bank accounts in 43 of its 686 districts. The program, known as the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), was envisioned as a digital revolution for government transfers. Mon, 26 Sep 2016 17:32:56 -0400 Misha Sharma, Suraj Nair http://www.cgap.org/blog/digital-social-payments-india-can-challenges-be-overcome