Financial Inclusion Benefits

M-PESA Africa just turned 34 million Kenyans into potential stock market investors overnight via Ziidi Trader. Nairobi Securities Exchange PLC integration means anyone can now buy stocks with KSh100, directly from their phone, in under 2 minutes. The old way? Opening a brokerage account took 2-4 weeks, required KSh5,000 minimum, and forced T+3 settlement. As a result, only 1.5 million Kenyans (3% of the population) own stocks. If just 10% of M-PESA's 34 million users invest KSh1,000 monthly, that's KSh40.8 billion annually flowing into the NSE, triple current retail participation. A boda boda rider in Kisumu now has the same stock market access as a Westlands banker. He takes KSh500 in daily savings, buys Safaricom PLC shares, receives dividends, reinvests, and builds generational wealth. This isn't fintech innovation, it's wealth redistribution through infrastructure. Kenya did this in 2007 when M-PESA Africa democratized banking. Now they're doing it for capital markets. Ziidi Money Market Fund launched this model in December 2024 and hit KSh10.68 billion by June 2025. The cascade is already visible: NSE gets liquidity explosion, companies access millions of micro-investors, financial content creators explain stocks in Swahili, and suddenly your matatu driver discusses capital markets. By 2027, Kenya will have more retail stock investors than South Africa, not because of GDP size, but because they built infrastructure that makes investing as easy as sending airtime. No bank branches. No broker meetings. Just a phone, an idea, and KSh100 to start building wealth.

When an unseasonal frost threatened Saraswati Vishwakarma's potato crop, she had hours to decide. Months of work and her family's income were on the line—and her husband was away. The nearest agricultural advisor served thousands of farmers across the region. She turned to FarmerChat. In India, one extension worker often serves more than 5,000 farmers. When disease hits or rains come late, help can take weeks to arrive. That's a wait most smallholder farmers simply can't afford. FarmerChat, an AI-powered tool developed by Digital Green and supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, delivers hyperlocal agricultural advice in farmers' own languages—in real time, on their phones. More than 1 million installs. More than 10 million queries answered. Seven in ten users report applying the advice within 30 days. The technology matters. What matters more: farmers like Saraswati now have something closer to a personal advisor—available exactly when it counts. Read more about how FarmerChat is bridging the information gap for India's farmers: https://lnkd.in/eNmMb4hT

Saudi 🇸🇦 Women Are the GCC’s Untapped Billion Riyal Deposit Engine - Here’s How Incumbent and Challenger Banks Can Win Them First Everyone is racing to launch wallets, sleek cards, zero-fee FX and trading apps in the Gulf, yet the fastest-growing, least-served customer in Saudi Arabia (and possibly all of GCC) is still paying rent, saving for a first home, and juggling side hustle income without a bank that really speaks to HER 🙋♀️🙋🏽♀️🙋🏻♀️ ⸻ Why this matters now more than ever before: ➖ Female labour-force participation has jumped from 19 % to 36 % in 6 years - that’s a min of 700k new salaried women in the Saudi Workforce ➖ They already manage an estimated SAR 840 billion in investable assets, yet a fifth of them remain unbanked/ underbanked and many more feel ignored and undervalued by existing players ➖ Only 63-65 % of women hold a formal bank account vs ~82 % of men a stubborn 17-20-point inclusion gap. Wallet adoption is materially lower among women, mainly due to trust, relevance, and UX friction. ➖ Entrepreneur boom with >550 000 women-owned businesses registered; Saudi ranks 2nd worldwide for female early-stage entrepreneurship ➖ The Vision 2030 policy tailwind means inclusion KPIs will only intensify; whoever earns women’s trust first wins arguable lifetime of customers Proven playbooks from across the world: 🔆 Jefa (acquired by Tala) built a 115 k-strong wait-list before launching a single card by solving identity-light onboarding and daily cash-in pain points for women. 🔆 First Women's Bank attracted hundreds of millions in “mission deposits” from Nike and Mastercard by framing accounts as impact capital for the women’s economy 🔆 Starling Bank combined female founder credibility with fee-free business accounts and mentorship content, pushing its share of women-owned SMEs above the market average 🔆 SeaBank Indonesia boosted active withdrawals 19 % after UX tweaks co-designed with Women’s World Banking 🔆 Mahila Money bundles micro-loans with a community that turns rejected applicants into future borrowers - converting trust into eventual revenue. What GCC challengers (and incumbents) can lift & shift: ✅ Gender-intentional UX ✅ Utility over yield savings pots ✅ Community + education layers ✅ Impact and Includion themed deposit programmes for corporates ✅ Beyond Banking ecosystem perks & bundled For the digital attackers, this segment offers an opportunity which can help them leapfrog the incumbents rapidly - I for one am convinced that the next breakout digital bank won’t win by out “metal” carding the competition; it will win by being the first to make Saudi women (or another underserved archetype) feel that every rial or dirham saved and every side-hustle income earned has finally found a home built for them #bankingforwomen #wakeupcall #underservedsegments #bankingwithpurpose

Just having more women CEOs is not enough. If they don’t get access to opportunities and funding like their male counterparts. Studies show that men often start businesses with nearly double the capital of their female counterparts and only a fraction of small business loans go to women-led businesses. Challenges like societal expectations, limited access to financial services and restricted financial independence hold back many women from accessing what they need. This is what can be done to bridge this gap: —> Building financial confidence through workshops can help make independent financial decisions. Many loan programs for women come with support through mentorship, helping women not only secure funding but also succeed in their businesses. —> When household responsibilities are shared fairly, women have more flexibility to focus on their careers or businesses. This allows them to try adventures beyond societal expectations, ask for what they need and follow their dreams freely. —> Banks with streamlined processes, financial products and services can become helpful resources for women entrepreneurs. Microfinance and community development programs offer collateral-free loans, making it easier for women to access funding without additional assets. Every business needs capital to grow and nothing should stop women from accessing the funding they deserve. We need to build a space where financial literacy is given enough importance and women have access to funding and support systems to bridge the barriers and build what they want. In what other ways do you think we can support women entrepreneurs? #womenentrepreneurship #financialliteracy

Africa is NOT a Country And Treating It Like One Could Cost You Millions. Last week I said it, and I’ll say it again: the biggest mistake investors make is thinking Africa is a monolith. This infographic from Afridigest is the perfect explanation for why that mindset is so dangerous. If you are building or investing in Fintech, you are navigating FOUR market archetypes. You cannot copy-paste a winning strategy from Lagos to Nairobi. The infrastructure dictates the product: ➡️ Banking Bastions (South Africa, Morocco): Compete with entrenched banks; products must inspire trust.  ➡️ Mobile Money Mavens (Kenya, Ghana): Telcos are gatekeepers; if you don’t integrate mobile money, you’re invisible.  ➡️ Transformation Titans (Nigeria, Egypt): High-velocity fintech frontiers; startups shape the economy in real-time.  Now, this doesn't mean we should ignore the push for unity. The AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) is the most ambitious project on the continent. With the rollout of the Digital Trade Protocol and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), we are finally building the pipes to connect these 54 markets. The reality: AfCFTA is the goal; Afridigest’s map is the starting line. Bottom Line for 2026: To win in African Fintech today, you need a "Dual-Track" Strategy ✅ Respect the Archetype: Build for the specific infrastructure of the market you are in now. ✅ Prepare for Integration: Ensure your tech stack is ready for the cross-border interoperability that the AfCFTA promises. Capital alone isn’t enough. Context is everything. Don’t wait for a unified Africa to start building, but don’t build so narrowly that you’re trapped when the borders finally open.

Unlocking Affordable and Patient Capital for MSMEs in Africa Can Africa build financial systems that truly serve its entrepreneurs and redefine how small businesses grow, scale and sustain themselves? This week on the Unlocking Africa Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Henry Clarke Kisembo, Group Global Lead and Executive Chairman of Development Associates Link International (DALI), an organisation driving inclusive finance, digital transformation and sustainable business development across Africa and beyond. With over 25 years of experience spanning fintech innovation, agrifinance, investment strategy and development finance, Dr Kisembo has worked with leading institutions such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, USAID and UN Capital Development Fund to design systems that empower MSMEs and strengthen local economies. Explaining the challenge, he told me: “Investment readiness is one of the key challenges. A company must be compliant, from governance and tax to certification, before external financing can come in.” And on the solution: “Patient and affordable capital should be long term and low cost. MSMEs cannot survive on short term loans at 36% interest. We need capital that allows them to grow, not collapse under debt.” Dr Kisembo shared how DALI is rethinking MSME financing, structuring blended and alternative capital models that are tailored to the real needs of entrepreneurs. From agriculture and mining to real estate and logistics, his team is helping to build legacy companies, not just short term ventures. He also highlighted how fintech innovation is transforming access to finance: “Fintechs have broken the monopoly of banks. Agency banking and digital platforms are bringing financial services closer to MSMEs, cutting transaction times from days to hours.” Key takeaways from our conversation: → Why Africa’s MSMEs need patient, affordable and flexible capital → How digital innovation is expanding access to finance → The policies and partnerships needed to unlock private capital at scale → Why the future of MSME growth will be shaped by green finance and inclusive investment Dr Kisembo left us with an inspiring message: “The future is bright, but we must embrace technology, rethink policy and move faster to match the pace of innovation.” If you care about inclusive finance and entrepreneurship, this is a conversation you will enjoy. ⬇️ Listen now — link in the comments below ⬇️ #MSMEFinance #Fintech #PatientCapital #Entrepreneurship #DigitalTransformation #PodcastHost #Podcast

After reviewing more pitch decks these past few days, I see African fintech founders are still flogging the dead horse that is "banking the unbanked" as a lazy fundraising pitch. From Yaounde to Cape Town, it’s the same story, another mobile wallet, payments app, another promise to bring financial inclusion to the masses. Truth is: most Africans are not unbanked because they lack access; they’re unbanked because they lack income. A new app won’t change that. The Brutal Truth Lack of Disposable Income – People don’t need more fintech solutions; they need more money. Without increased economic productivity, most “financial inclusion” solutions remain useless. Broken Unit Economics – Many fintechs rely on unsustainable VC fueled growth, acquiring “users” who don’t generate revenue. Regulatory Capture & Infrastructure Gaps – Governments protect banks and telcos dominate mobile money. The real bottlenecks are systemic, not just about "access." Startups often underestimate how slow, expensive, and political it is to scale across markets. Real Problems & Better Solutions Income-Generating Fintech – Instead of just moving money, fintech should help people make money. Platforms enabling gig work, SME financing, and export-focused businesses can drive real financial inclusion. A fintech that helps informal traders access larger markets, rather than just helping them "save." Decentralized Credit & Alternative Lending – Traditional credit models don’t work in Africa. Instead: Use supply chain data, mobile behavior, and transaction flows to build more dynamic credit models. Integrate fintech into cooperative lending structures like tontines or village savings groups, where trust already exists. B2B Payments & Trade Infrastructure – Cross-border trade needs work, killing SME growth. Fix it: Build better escrow and invoice financing tools that help African businesses transact across borders securely. Verticalized Fintech in High-Impact Sectors – Fintech should power real economic activity, not just payments. Agritech fintech: Give farmers access to dynamic pricing, supply chain finance, and better insurance. Healthcare fintech: Enable embedded payments and credit for medical services, helping people afford care without predatory loans. Logistics fintech: Provide financing for truckers, warehousing solutions, and real-time supply chain support. Infrastructure-First Fintech – If power, internet, & ID verification are problems, solve those first. Payments without stable connectivity? Build USSD-based financial services. Weak credit infrastructure? Build platforms that help lenders pool risk and share credit data across borders. The era of cheap fundraising gimmicks is over. African fintech must shift from vanity metrics to real impact, solving income generation, trade inefficiencies, and credit access at scale. I'm tired of saying this, founders who build with these in mind won’t need to beg for funding; investors will come looking for them.

🔴 In Africa, Uber lost to the boda driver with a phone number you can actually call. That's not a failure of technology—it's a masterclass in what truly drives financial inclusion. In a recent FS i-Hub session with Hugo Pacheco - The Barefoot Economist and Rob Sanford, CEO of SafeBoda (mobility fintech super app), revealed something profound: in markets where 80% of workers are informal and trust is scarce, embedded finance isn't about APIs—it's about understanding people. The conversation cut through the hype: 📍 Platforms aren't just apps—they're economic infrastructure 📍 Financial wellness comes before financial growth 📍 Trust beats speed in low-trust environments ‣ Rob's insight hit home: "Traditional banks can't underwrite a boda driver—but we can, because we know their work, income patterns, and ambitions." SafeBoda doesn't just move people. It embeds insurance, vehicle loans, land credit, and same-day payouts directly into daily work. Drivers repay loans through rides, build credit histories through activity, and move from instability to asset ownership. This is what financial inclusion looks like when it's designed from the ground up—not imported from the top down. Key insights from the session: • Local platforms win because they build trust through human support, not just technology • Embedded finance works when it's lived daily, not layered on afterward  • Africa needs 12 million new jobs yearly—platforms are filling the gap that formal systems can't • Smart regulation should enable platform innovation, not strangle it Hugo brings us conversations that challenge conventional wisdom and spotlight what's actually working in African fintech—not what sounds good in boardrooms. Because the future of work and finance in Africa won't be written by those chasing global playbooks. It will be built by those who understand local realities. 👇 Read the full insights from the session  🎥 Watch the replay (link included in the article) What's your take? Can global platforms ever truly compete with locally-rooted solutions in emerging markets? #Fintech #Africa #superapp #FSiHub

Is This the Future of Digital Currency? The 60 Minutes segment on Kenya’s groundbreaking mobile money system, M-PESA, offers a glimpse into how digital currency could redefine economies worldwide. Here’s a summary of key insights: M-PESA: A Mobile Money Revolution • Breaking Barriers: Launched in 2007 by Safaricom, M-PESA enables users to send, receive, and store money using their mobile phones—no bank account required. • Accessibility: With over 19 million users (90% of adults in Kenya), M-PESA has brought financial inclusion to those excluded from traditional banking systems. • Everyday Use: From paying bills to receiving salaries, the system has become an integral part of daily life. Driving Innovation Through Financial Inclusion M-PESA is more than a transaction tool; it’s a platform for innovation: • Solar Energy: Pay-as-you-go solar solutions bring clean electricity to underserved communities. • Clean Water: Villages use M-PESA to fund and maintain community water pumps. • Microloans: Farmers access loans to grow their businesses directly through the platform. Bitcoin and the Future of Global Digital Currencies As M-PESA demonstrates the transformative power of digital money, Bitcoin continues to gain momentum as a decentralized global currency. Key developments include: • Reserve Currency Potential: Recent discussions and possible legislation explore the idea of adding Bitcoin to the USA’s reserve assets, highlighting its growing legitimacy. • Global Adoption: Nations like El Salvador have already embraced Bitcoin as legal tender, setting a precedent for other economies. • Challenges: Similar to M-PESA, Bitcoin faces hurdles like regulation, fraud risks, and skepticism from traditional banking systems. Challenges and Lessons for the Global Stage • Resistance from Banks: Established financial institutions often lobby against systems like M-PESA or Bitcoin that disrupt traditional business models. • Risks: Fraud, scams, and money laundering remain concerns across all digital financial systems. • Global Potential: With increasing mobile adoption and the rise of decentralized finance, the integration of systems like M-PESA and Bitcoin could reshape financial ecosystems globally. What This Means for the Future M-PESA and Bitcoin represent two sides of the same coin: digital innovation driving financial inclusion and economic growth. Could a hybrid of decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and centralized mobile money systems like M-PESA pave the way for the future? Will we one day see Bitcoin as part of the USA’s reserve, or will mobile-first systems dominate? Share your thoughts! #DigitalCurrency #Bitcoin #M_PESA #FinancialInclusion #Innovation #FutureOfFinance #CryptoLegislation

India doesn’t just need more startups. It needs more founders who create jobs, solve real problems, and build with heart. That future isn’t possible without women entrepreneurs, and the momentum is already here. Across the country, women launch food ventures from home kitchens, run retail outlets in small towns, manage wellness brands, build tech-enabled solutions, and transform their communities. But one roadblock keeps surfacing again and again: access. Access to funding. Access to mentorship. Access to the right infrastructure. The good news is that several government-backed initiatives are already in place to bridge this gap, designed specifically for women who want to start or grow their business. ✅ Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) An initiative by NITI Aayog, WEP provides a single platform for mentorship, funding, resources, and collaboration opportunities for women across different stages of entrepreneurship. 🔗 wep.gov.in ✅Stand-Up India Scheme Provides loans between ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore to women and SC/ST entrepreneurs starting greenfield ventures. Includes handholding support and a loan tracking portal. 🔗 standupmitra.in ✅Mudra Loans (PMMY) Offers collateral-free loans in three categories—Shishu, Kishor, and Tarun—for small businesses like food stalls, beauty parlours, tailoring units, and local retail shops. 🔗 mudra.org.in ✅TREAD Scheme Aims to support women in rural and semi-urban areas by offering a 30% grant for project costs (through NGOs), along with training and credit assistance via MSMES. ✅Mahila Coir Yojana Promotes rural self-employment by providing a 75% subsidy on motorised coir machinery to trained women entrepreneurs. ✅Mahila Samriddhi Yojana Provides easy micro-loans via NGOs and MFIs with simplified procedures. Focuses on small-scale and home-based businesses, along with basic financial literacy support. ✅Annapurna Scheme Designed for food entrepreneurs, it offers up to ₹50,000 in loans to set up kitchen infrastructure, purchase utensils, or operate food trucks. Comes with a flexible 36-month repayment option. These schemes are not just financial tools, they are catalysts for economic empowerment. They are helping women step into entrepreneurship with more confidence and better support. If shared widely, this information can help women take the first step toward building something of their own, with fewer roadblocks and more resources. #womenentrepreneurs #businesswomen #womenempowerment