Tag: DFS

Our blog highlights the challenges that stop financial services providers from developing cheaper, long-term credit that can unlock productive credit for women micro and small entrepreneurs operating from open-air and cross-border markets in Kenya. It also examines solutions these financial services providers can employ to serve these women effectively.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation commissioned MSC to conduct an action research program to enhance the quality and usage of digital financial services among female traders in open-air and cross-border markets in Kenya. We analyzed 6,000+ transactions in the research. Read our report to see the findings from these financial diaries research.

MSC conducted primary research in Kenya to understand the challenges of female traders in open-air and cross-border markets. The study identified limitations that prevent them from using digital financial services comprehensively. We sought to learn why these owners of micro and small enterprises shy from using credit, savings, insurance, and payments. Faith Njeri is one such woman. Our new blog discusses the financial challenges countless women like her struggle with as they work on their dream of financial independence.

This video highlights the hurdles women entrepreneurs face in a male-dominated industry, based on start-ups under the Financial Inclusion Lab accelerator program that work to support the LMI workforce. The Lab is a part of CIIE.CO’s Bharat Inclusion Initiative and receives support from some of the largest philanthropic organizations across the world. These include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, J.P. Morgan, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, MetLife Foundation, and the Omidyar Network.

Fundfina is a digital lending platform providing access to formal credit to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in India. This blog explores Fundfina’s journey and the positive impact it hopes to create on the MSE sector of the country.

This slide deck condenses our gender-focused analysis of data collected under the Corner Shop Diaries project. It unpacks significant differences between men-run and women-run enterprises and the roles of social norms. The deck further discusses what is needed to reimagine the way we examine women-run businesses.