Opportunity International Australia (OIA) recognized the need to realign its approach. This was done in response to the rapidly evolving microfinance and financial inclusion landscape, shifting client behaviors, digital adoption trends, and changes in the regulatory and socioeconomic environment. MSC supported OIA in its efforts to redefine its strategic direction in India and Indonesia and developed an efficient and forward-looking transformation roadmap.  

We helped identify strategic priorities for the organization to remain relevant and impactful in a shifting development context. We accounted for increased digital adoption, a deeper policy focus on financial inclusion, and growth in demand for resilience-focused financial solutions. Our team conducted secondary research, analyzed program data, reviewed partner documentation, and used its deep market intelligence across Asia to generate insights on client aspirations, funding trends, and sector evolution.   

The strategic roadmap developed by MSC articulated a set of high-potential focus areas for OIA, which included digital transformation of partner MFIs, strengthened gender-inclusive models, and expanded support for underserved communities through innovative financial solutions. The roadmap also offered guidance on market positioning, funding strategies, and alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to poverty reduction, women’s empowerment, and inclusive economic growth.    

A key outcome of this engagement was a strategic blueprint that guided OIA to make informed decisions about its future direction in India and Indonesia. The engagement provided clarity on where and how OIA could drive the greatest value through a sharper focus on inclusion, adaptability to market shifts, and alignment with long-term development goals. It highlighted strategic levers for influence, investment, and innovation, rooted in a strong understanding of client aspirations, institutional readiness, and ecosystem opportunities.  

HNB Grameen (HNBG) is a subsidiary of Hatton National Bank (HNB), a leading commercial bank in Sri Lanka. The company wanted to broaden its client segments and upgrade the use of technology. HNBG made a recent foray into the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) market and introduced technology, such as point of sale (PoS) devices and ATMs. These developments implied that HNBG needed a fresh perspective toward business along with a new strategy.   

MSC led a series of virtual interviews and subsequently, an onsite rapid institutional assessment. We conducted a market assessment to understand the market segments, competition, and products offered in Sri Lanka. Our sectorial analysis helped to examine the external environment on political, macroeconomic, socioeconomic, and technological aspects that may affect the strategy. The MSC team also conducted initial workshops with mid- and senior-level management to help them develop a structured approach to arrive at an institutional and department-level strategy.  

We developed a strategic business plan to create a long-term roadmap. The plan predicted the future evolution of the Sri Lankan financial landscape. It laid out a clear roadmap that HNBG needs to follow to become and remain a market leader in financial services in Sri Lanka.   

HNB Grameen Finance Limited commissioned the project. 

MSC supported the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (UPSRLM) to design and strengthen an efficient strategy to scale the BC Sakhi program across all 57,695 gram panchayats (GPs) in the state. The objective was to build a comprehensive, scalable, and sustainable model to ensure last-mile delivery of financial services, especially to underserved rural communities.    

Through our approach, we identified gaps and best practices in existing BC Sakhi models, drawing from innovations in other states, and tailoring them to Uttar Pradesh’s unique socioeconomic context. MSC led a structured three-phase process—identification, assimilation, and pilot implementation—to enable effective adoption of new strategies. This included detailed stakeholder consultations, readiness assessments, and the development of capacity-building frameworks, operational roadmaps, and institutional mechanisms for efficient implementation.  

The strategy incorporated systems for real-time performance monitoring, cross-functional coordination, digital integration, and adaptive learning. These elements were designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and the long-term sustainability of the BC Sakhi ecosystem. MSC also contributed to the digital transformation of the program through technical assistance support to help develop the BC Sakhi mobile app and web portal, which streamlined onboarding, training, and performance tracking.  

Through these strategic interventions, MSC played a pivotal role in supporting UPSRLM to build one of India’s most ambitious rural financial inclusion programs, which positioned women as agents of change and ensured financial services are accessible at every gram panchayat. As a result, the BC Sakhi program has achieved significant operational milestones. More than 40,000 BC Sakhis have been successfully onboarded and trained, and serve more than 120 million rural residents across Uttar Pradesh.  

  

 

TLM Cooperative is one of Eastern Indonesia’s largest microfinance institutions, which serves 350,000+ members across five provinces with limited digital and physical infrastructure. Since 2022, MSC has supported TLM in its journey of institutional strengthening and digital transformation.  

MSC conducted a comprehensive digital transformation readiness assessment (DTRA) to evaluate TLM’s systems, processes, and organisational preparedness. The assessment identified several constraints, which included a fragmented and outdated core banking system (CBS), high manual workloads, a lack of integration across functions, and low IT capacity. MSC recommended a phased transformation roadmap centred around CBS replacement, business process digitization, and internal capacity building.  

Following the DTRA, MSC supported the end-to-end implementation of a new CBS (Shakti by Qbrik). Our support included vendor contract review, requirement gathering, feature development oversight, user acceptance testing (UAT), training design, and data migration. We worked closely with TLM’s operations and IT teams to ensure practical, user-focused adoption of digital systems.  

This intervention has enabled TLM to transition from paper-heavy, branch-dependent operations to a scalable digital foundation, including mobile-enabled field processes and automated savings and loan workflows. MSC also helped TLM shift from traditional group lending toward more flexible, individual, and SME lending models.  

Opportunity International Australia commissioned the project 

During Indonesia’s presidency of the G20 in 2022, MSC helped the Ministry prepare and present key policy contributions to the G20 Ministerial Conference on Women’s Empowerment (MCWE). MSC led the development of gender policy recommendations on the digital economy. It focused on closing the gender digital divide, enabled women-owned MSMEs, and ensured inclusive access to technology. 

These recommendations were incorporated into official policy notes delivered to G20 leaders and became part of Indonesia’s broader advocacy for gender equality at the global stage. 

A continuum of policy engagement 

MSC has continued to provide strategic advisory support to the Ministry throughout the evolving G20 process. This includes policy inputs and technical guidance across subsequent presidencies, including India in 2023 and South Africa in 2025, to ensure the continuity of Indonesia’s leadership on gender issues. 

MSC supported an intervention with the Ministry at the 69th session of the UN Commission for the Status of Women (CSW69) in 2025 with a focus on the review, appraisal, and implementation of the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action. 

Together with the Ministry, MSC has helped conceptualize and develop high-impact policy briefs on: 

• Digital economy and women’s empowerment 

• Women-led MSMEs and entrepreneurship ecosystems 

• Gender-intentional financial inclusion strategies 

Our role was to synthesize global evidence, identify actionable policy levers, and co-develop clear and practical recommendations that reflect Indonesia’s priorities and global best practices. 

MSC plays an active and strategic role in key government task forces, which include those who drive the implementation of Indonesia’s 2024 Care Economy Roadmap and the national strategy for women’s financial inclusion. Through these platforms, MSC contributes technical expertise and evidence-based insights to shape inclusive economic policies. 

Sustained Partnership for Impact 

MSC remains a committed partner to the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, supporting its efforts to drive inclusive, gender-forward development through strong policy design and international engagement. As Indonesia continues to shape global dialogue through the G20 and beyond, we are proud to contribute to its vision of a more equitable digital and economic future for women and girls.