Wage digitization as an on-ramp to financial inclusion: The essential role of deepening account usage

This article explores how wage digitization during the COVID-19 pandemic increased women’s financial account ownership but faced challenges in usage, especially in countries like Bangladesh. Despite positive perceptions, women lacked training, encountered merchant acceptance issues, and struggled in a cash-based economy. The authors suggest initiatives like promoting digital payment acceptance, advocating for wage digitization benefits, providing women with training, and addressing cash-out fees to maximize the impact of digital wages on financial inclusion.

• Date: 15/12/2023
• Author(s): Guy Stuart and Sara Litke-Farzaneh
• Sector: Any
• Topics: Gender equality, Inclusive finance
• Regions: Asia and the Pacific
• Resource type: News & Blogs
• Institutions: Mathematica