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Making financial services meet the needs of the world’s most vulnerable
People living in poverty constantly juggle an evolving set of risks and crises in their daily lives. Climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing food crisis, among others, have increased these risks substantially, contributing to a rise in global poverty and inequality. Meanwhile, a third of the world’s adult population lacks the financial services they could use to significantly improve their lives. CGAP is working to change this, and we believe that positive trends in inclusive finance offer hope for a green, resilient, and inclusive future.
This case study draws on UNCDF's experience in Fiji to explore the effectiveness of social protection networks as a distribution channel and the role of subsidies. It reveals three conditions are needed for success: strong policy backing, long-standing UNCDF engagement, and existing social protection networks.
Women's financial inclusion is advancing, but gaps remain. The World Bank's Global Findex 2025 reveals that 77% of women globally now hold a financial account, yet in some low- and middle-income countries, women are still up to 30 percentage points less likely to own one than men. So, what's driving this persistent divide, and how do we close it?
Big banks are leading Tanzania’s climate finance, but adaptation must reach the front lines to be effective. For true inclusivity, climate capital must flow through local FSPs that serve the low-income and vulnerable communities most at risk.
What does it take to move an entire financial sector toward gender equality? In Mexico, the answer is emerging: shared accountability, institutional reform, and collective action.
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Despite the growing body of evidence, significant gaps remain in understanding why financial services drive positive change and impact in some scenarios but not others. Financial Inclusion 2.0 aims to bridge these gaps.
A2ii is a global partnership that works with insurance supervisors to promote inclusive and responsible insurance, thereby reducing vulnerability. As of July 2025, CGAP convenes A2ii in close coordination with IAIS.
MSEs have diverse financial needs, even when considering size alone. However, when gender is factored in, this complexity only deepens.
