This workshop is the third of the Scale2Save bi-annual peer exchanges that will focus on the programme, project activities and learning.
Covid-19 provides a catalyst for further savings in Africa, according to a nearly two-thirds of banking sector experts attending the first of the three-day WSBI-Scale2Save programme annual peer exchange virtual workshop.
In an online poll of participants, 59 per cent of nearly 50 participants consider Covid-19 as an enabler of savings, with the remaining respondents saying it dis-enables savings in Africa. Although the question posed did not explore long or short-term impacts of Covid-19 on savings, the result underscores how Scale2Save partner institutions tackle pandemic challenges.
The poll gave attendees a starting point to focus on how Scale2Save programme aims, project activities and learning from research can help address the current pandemic on banks’ ability to establish the viability of small-scale savings in Africa.
Update from Mastercard Foundation
A presentation by Mastercard Foundation’s Diaka Sall, who serves as Lead for Agriculture in Senegal, highlighted the foundation “Young Africa Works” strategy, a bold ambition to ensures 30 million young women and men gain access to dignified and fulfilling work across the continent. Young Africa Works focuses on areas that include micro-, small-, medium-sized enterprises and agriculture digital technology education.
“Service providers continue to expand and offer tailor made solutions, many more Africans would be included in savings will grow at the individual family and community levels, offering a pathway out of poverty. To drive this agenda, however, service providers must be innovative in their thinking and inclusive in their approach.”
“At the MasterCard Foundation, we are blessed to be in a position to partner with organisations such as WSBI under the Scale2Save programme to support initiatives and ensuring many more people on the continent are included and embrace the savings culture. on behalf of the master calculation.”
Scale2Save
March 1, 2023
The State of Savings and Retail Banking in Africa
The WSBI has conducted two research reports tracking the progress of retail and savings banks in their financial inclusion efforts across Africa (2018, 2019).
February 22, 2023
Driving Formal Savings: What Works for Low-Income Women?
While financial inclusion is expanding globally, the gender gap in access to financial services and products persists
December 19, 2022
What a journey it has been!
Between 2016 and 2022 Scale2Save financially included more than 1.3 million women, young people and farmers in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal and
December 14, 2022
The financial diaries revealed useful insights into young people’s savings, spending and income behavior
It examines their experience in respect to financial inclusion, support structures and opportunities for young entrepreneurs
December 9, 2022
The Power of Community-Based Organizations to Mobilize Farmers’ Savings
In Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, cocoa is harvested twice a year, in May-June and in October-December. Between seasons, most smallholder farmers do not generate revenue
November 15, 2022
How Can Small Scale Savings Be Offered Sustainably?
Learnings from the Scale2Save Program on successful business and institutional models
November 15, 2022
Application of CGAP Customer Outcomes Framework in Uganda
This case study by WSBI's Scale2Save programme applied the CGAP customer outcome indicator framework to test the impact of a new basic savings product positioned in the financial inclusion market and…
November 10, 2022
Driving formal savings: What works for low-income women
Gender-inclusive products need to be designed with low-income women’s needs in mind. Yet, the real question remains: What services do female customers value, prioritize and need? This learning paper…
November 10, 2022
The art of change
Leaning paper by WSBI's Scale2Save programme for financial inclusion in Africa. A practical approach to changing behaviors of financial service providers for more meaningful outreach to low-income…
November 10, 2022
Digital Financial Inclusion in Nigeria and Uganda: opportunities and remaining challenges
Earlier this year, the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WBSI) programme for financial inclusion, Scale2Save, through the support of the Mastercard Foundation