How Digital Connectivity Drives Financial Inclusion

In much of the world, digital financial tools are a daily reality—used to process paychecks, pay for dinner, buy groceries, and more. But 1.4 billion adults in low- and middle-income countries still lack access to these tools.    This isn’t just an inconvenience for them; it's a barrier to economic growth and empowerment. According to a 2023 UN analysis, digital public infrastructure—including digital ID, payments, and data exchange—could accelerate GDP growth in these countries by 20 to 33 percent.    That’s where Mojaloop Foundation comes in: Their open-source software makes it possible for countries to build inclusive digital payment systems that allow anyone with a mobile phone to send and receive money securely, instantly, and affordably. This has the potential to drive economic inclusion—and open the doors to financial freedom—for billions.

"The #digitalisation of #payment_services is progressing in countries around the world, with increasing numbers of individuals using or receiving some form of digital payments.   As #digital_payments increase and the associated infrastructure further develops, the costs of digital payments fall, making it increasingly preferable to #cash for payment operators.   The key drivers behind this digitalisation include the pandemic shifting consumers from physical cash to payments requiring less in-person contact, governments trying to counter illegal #money_laundering and the financing of illicit activities, as well as the potential for digital payments to promote #financial_inclusion, especially in developing markets.   For instance, by expanding the digital payment infrastructure, consumers have more tools to help them gain access to financial services and products at a lower cost.   However, as a result of the increase of digitalisation of payments, countries face a decline in access to cash, with implications for financial consumer vulnerability and financial and economic exclusion.   … Governments have adopted and developed policies and initiatives to mitigate the potential and unintended consequences of the digitalisation of payments.   … implementing national cash policies or strategies; enforcing the acceptance of cash as a form of payment; ensuring the availability and provision of cash through legislative and regulatory, as well as industry-led initiatives; and expanding the #regulatory and #supervisory powers of oversight bodies relating to access to cash."   — From: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Safeguarding Consumers' Access to Cash in the Digital Economy: Policy considerations and approaches, OECD Business and Finance Policy Papers, No. 81, March 2025 #financialinclusion   The full paper is here: https://lnkd.in/exMMF9UM

In the U.S., sending money means Zelle®, Venmo, or Apple Pay In much of Africa, it means Mobile Money — and it’s even more powerful. 📲 With just a basic mobile phone (no smartphone needed), millions of people in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Ghana, and Senegal can: - Send & receive money instantly - Pay bills and school fees - Save… and even invest All without ever opening a traditional bank account. Over 60% of adults in West Africa are unbanked, but they’re not excluded. Mobile money has filled the gap — fast, cheap, and deeply embedded in daily life. Now imagine when that infrastructure connects to digital investment tools. That’s where Daba comes in. We’re helping anyone — including people that were financially disconnected as well as the diaspora abroad — access stocks, bonds, mutual funds and more… all with the tools they already use. 🌍 Africa isn’t copying legacy systems. It’s leapfrogging them — straight into mobile-led financial inclusion. The opportunity is massive. And it’s happening now. Daba is proud to power this transformation. We’re not just enabling access to capital markets — we’re helping build a new generation of African investors. 👇🏽 Curious how it all works? Let’s talk about mobile money, investing, and why Africa is the growth story of the decade. #Fintech #InvestInAfrica #MobileMoney #FinancialInclusion #DabaFinance #AfricaRising #EmergingMarkets #InclusiveGrowth #orangemoney #mtn #orange #Moov #wave