This report was commissioned by the World Bank Group's (WBG) financial inclusion support framework program, with financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and with technical support from the East African Business Council...

This report provides a baseline analysis of the status of access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with a particular focus on women entrepreneur' ability and constraints in accessing finance in order to develop and grow their businesses. It is based on a...

Ghana has low levels of financial inclusion of individuals and access to finance for firms remains a major challenge; some of the key issues include low ownership and usage of accounts, dominance of cash, limited access points, limited electronic and mobile transactions, and high collateral,...

The report analyzes the status of the Nigerian Microfinance Banks (MFBs) sector and aims to identify and address the challenges of its effective regulation and supervision. Ensuring the financial soundness of the MFB sector is regarded as a prerequisite for its further development. This report...

Economic policymakers in developing countries across the world are focusing on expanding financial inclusion. This agenda assumes greater significance for countries like Pakistan, where financial inclusion levels are quite low. It has led to several policy interventions in Pakistan over the past...

Ghana's real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded in 2018, albeit at a slower rate than in 2017; the expansion was spurred by the mineral component of the industry sector. The government sustained its fiscal consolidation efforts in 2018 despite challenges. The current account deficit narrowed...

In this note authors explore the many ways that adults in the Maldives are using digital payment services through mobile phones, the internet, and bank accounts. The authors also explore savings habits and outline opportunities to use digital technology to bring financial services to adults who...

The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) has been active in Bangladesh since 2012. In 2013, they convened stakeholder consultations to develop and launch the Bangladesh Country Action Plan for Clean Cookstoves (CAP) led by the Power Division of the government's Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral...

Over the past few years, Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Iraq have emerged as credible sources of financing for low-income households and entrepreneurs, both underserved by conventional banks. Microfinance services in Iraq, however, are still nascent and far from meeting their full...