CSIS 2025 GDF: Technological Innovations and Financial Inclusion

Financial inclusion enables individuals to improve their well-being by managing economic shocks, raising capital for their businesses and investing in education and health. However, financial inclusion remains a significant challenge globally with 1.4 billion adults still unbanked and lacking access to financial services. Challenges including limited banking infrastructure, high costs of financial services, lack of financial products and services tailored to the needs of vulnerable populations, affordability to mobile banking and smartphones, and lack of a government issued ID hinder large segments of the population from opening a bank or mobile account, preventing individuals from saving securely, getting credit, and making investments. The lack of financial literacy and trust in formal institutions further exacerbates this issue. Innovative technologies offer promising solutions to overcome some of these traditional barriers and bring financial services to the underserved populations.