Women-led agricultural and artisan collectives face significant challenges in accessing working capital, including complex documentation, collateral requirements, and low lender confidence. These hurdles hinder their growth and sustainability. Tailored financial products and support from bridge institutions—offering credit, capacity building, and market linkages—enable collectives to overcome these barriers. Learn how policy advocacy, innovative financing, and partnerships can create a robust ecosystem that ensures equitable access to credit for women’s enterprises.
Blog
Advancing green MSMEs: Insights from the talk on FinTech’s role in supporting green MSMEs in Indonesia
This report explores how FinTech and financial services can help the green transformation of Indonesia’s MSMEs, which constitute more than 99% of enterprises. It highlights insights from a recent FinTech talk and underscores the need for a supportive policy ecosystem, committed private sector, and robust support system. The discussion covers MSMEs’ challenges, the role of financial service providers, and the collaborative efforts needed to drive sustainable business practices.
State of India’s Informal Sector: A Deep Dive into Enterprises, Statistics, and Segments
This comprehensive research report delves into the diverse nuances of India’s informal MSME landscape. It includes rich insights from a quantitative dataset of 10,000+ informal enterprises on aspects of formalization, digital adoption, and access to finance, among others.
The report uses an informed segmentation approach to provide a foundational resource for a better understanding of informal enterprises. It serves as a valuable reference for policymakers, donors, industry stakeholders, research organizations, and other key actors seeking to design targeted interventions. Read the report to learn more.
Evaluating the WASH Action Group Indicator Framework: A brief on the practices of investors and their partners
The WASH Action Group (AG) Indicator Framework, developed in 2023 by e-MFP and Aqua for All provides a structured and comprehensive approach for evaluating the impact of WASH investments. This framework aims to standardize the way financial institutions, investors, and other stakeholders measure the outcomes of WASH-related activities, enhancing the transparency and effectiveness of impact investments in the sector.
Seeking to evaluate the applicability and adoption of the WASH AG Indicator Framework, MSC (MicroSave Consulting) conducted a study among key stakeholders, including asset managers, financial intermediaries (FIs), and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Through primary consultations, the study documents current impact measurement practices within the WASH sector, assesses their alignment with the WASH AG Indicator Framework, and identifies key challenges these entities face in data recording and impact measurement. The study offers actionable recommendations to enhance framework adoption, aiming to bridge critical gaps in impact measurement and reporting, ultimately improving the transparency and effectiveness of WASH sector interventions.
The publication was first published on the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) on 18th December 2024.
Frauds—the Achilles’ heel of AePS transactions?
AePS-related frauds account for 11% of 1.13 million cases and amount to INR 823.74 crore (USD 98 million). Anecdotal evidence suggests that some providers have reported up to 20 times more fraud than others when measured as a percentage of their total transaction volume. A sophisticated, multilayered approach that uses technology, regulation, collaboration, and education is needed to combat fraud. This note examines the types of AePS fraud, their impact, and current measures and recommends strategies to enhance the framework through prevention and awareness initiatives.
Mind the gap: Closing the loopholes in consumer protection in digital financial services
This report examines financial fraud vulnerabilities among low- to moderate-income (LMI) individuals in Bangladesh, India, and Kenya. With 55% of respondents receiving fake calls or SMS, scams like impersonation and PIN compromise disproportionately impact urban women and the underserved. Over 60% of the victims are unaware of grievance mechanisms, leading to unresolved complaints. The report proposes regulatory reforms, awareness campaigns, and technology-driven solutions to improve fraud prevention, grievance redressal, and consumer protection frameworks.