Boosting financial inclusion through social assistance reform: evidence-based approach in selecting a payment system

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 284-299
Author(s):  
Hilman Palaon ◽  
Sudarso Kaderi Wiryono ◽  
Taufik Faturohman
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Social Assistance ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Debit Card ◽  
Food Purchases ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Government

Digitizing social assistance for the poor has been proven to increase financial inclusion. The Indonesian Government initiated reform for non-cash social assistance disbursement in 2016. Evidence-based policy approach is an effective technique for informing the government on appropriate new regulations. A pilot project involving 4,295 participants was conducted to evaluate the following payment systems: debit card, mobile money, QR code (quick response), and NFC (near field communication). Beneficiaries utilized the funds for cash withdrawals and food purchases at bank agents. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed in the analysis. The government decided to use debit card with multiple wallet features. A new regulation was made to support the implementation in 2017, and by the end of 2019, the government provided more than 12 million new savings accounts to the poor. Potential future improvements are proposed for the sustainability of the solution, which include a disbursement providers’ revenue model, broader financial services involvement, bank agents’ inventory system, and optimizing the latest innovations.

scholarly journals Legislative and Other Selected Challenges Affecting Financial Inclusion for the Poor and Low Income Earners in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-355
Author(s):  
Howard Chitimira ◽  
Menelisi Ncube
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Legislative Framework ◽  
The Government

AbstractThis article discusses the challenges affecting the achievement of financial inclusion for the poor and low-income earners in South Africa. The concept of financial inclusion could be defined as the provision of affordable financial products and services to all members of the society by the government and/or other relevant role-players such as financial services providers. This article identifies unemployment, poverty, financial illiteracy, over-indebtedness, high bank fees, mistrust of the banking system, lack of relevant national identity documentation and poor legislative framework for financial inclusion as some of the challenges affecting the full attainment of financial inclusion for the poor and low-income earners in South Africa. Given these flaws, the article highlights the need for the government, financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders to adopt legislative and other measures as an antidote to financial exclusion and poverty challenges affecting the poor and low-income earners in South Africa.

scholarly journals Accelerating Financial Inclusion through Non-cash Assistance: Exploring Factor Affecting Beneficiaries Perception

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Sartika Djamaluddin
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Social Assistance ◽  
Transportation Cost ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Time Travel ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
West Java ◽  
Cash Assistance

Distribution of social assistance through a non-cash system is a new government breakthrough to increase transfer effectiveness and promote financial inclusion. After the pilot project in 2014, the recent study found that there is a number of beneficiaries who feel the non-cash system is difficult. Therefore they use non-cash facilities to get the transfer only and do not want to use for other financial services. This fact could become an obstacle to financial inclusion. This study aims to investigate what factors influence beneficiaries perception to use non-cash system. We conducted a survey of 139 non-cash beneficiaries in Kabupaten Cirebon, West Java and Kabupaten Pasuruan, East Java. The results showed that accessibility such as queue time, travel time and transportation cost had a significant effect on perception of non-cash system. Perceptions also vary according to beneficiary characteristics. AbstrakDistribusi bantuan sosial melalui sistem non-tunai merupakan terobosan baru yang dilakukan pemerintah untuk meningkatkan efektivitas bantuan dan mempromosikan inklusi keuangan. Penelitian terbaru menyatakan bahwa, pada uji coba sistem non-tunai di tahun 2014, sejumlah penerima bantuan merasa kesulitan mencairkan bantuan dengan sistem tersebut. Mereka hanya menggunakan fasilitas non-tunai untuk mencairkan bantuan saja dan tidak ingin menggunakan sistem tersebut untuk layanan keuangan lainnya. Fakta tersebut dapat menjadi hambatan tercapainya inklusif keuangan. Studi ini bertujuan menyelidiki faktor-faktor apa saja yang memengaruhi persepsi penerima bantuan untuk menggunakan sistem non-tunai. Kami melakukan survei pada 139 penerima bantuan non-tunai di Kabupaten Cirebon, Jawa Barat dan Kabupaten Pasuruan, Jawa Timur. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa aksesibilitas seperti waktu antrian, waktu perjalanan dan biaya transportasi berpengaruh signifikan terhadap persepsi sistem non-tunai. Persepsi juga bervariasi menurut karakteristik penerima bantuan.Kata kunci: Bantuan Non-tunai; Transfer; Inklusi Keuangan; Persepsi; Penerima BantuanJEL classifications: H31; H55

scholarly journals Nexus between Information and Communication Technology, Financial Intermediation, and Household Investment: A Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 03 ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Richard M Kiai ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Financial Intermediation ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Financial Intermediaries ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Government

Financial inclusion has been recognized as a poverty reduction tool, and many economies have taken it up as a national agenda. To achieve the expected levels of financial inclusion, governments have worked with financial intermediaries to reach the expected target group, the unbanked poor. As per the financial intermediation theory, the role of financial intermediaries is to minimize the information asymmetry in the financial system. To enhance financial inclusion, many countries and financial institutions have embraced information and communication technology (ICT). ICT has been recognized as a tool that has worked greatly toward enhancing sharing of information at a low cost and that has thus helped in improving financial inclusion. Though many countries have achieved high levels of financial inclusion through ICT, the levels of poverty have not declined. It was thus important to establish the relationship between ICT, financial intermediation, and household investment. This study methodology was a review of the literature on financial inclusion, financial intermediation, ICT, and household investment. From this study, it was noted that ICT is helping in financial intermediation and thus more people can access financial services. Unfortunately, the levels of ICT capability among the poor are low, and in that case, the poor are not able to utilize financial services offered through ICT platforms to undertake household investment. This is the reason as to why, despite the high levels of financial inclusion, the poor still remain poor. This study recommends that the government should ensure that the levels of ICT among the populace are high. Financial institutions on the other hand should provide financial services with more user-friendly platforms.

scholarly journals Micro Insurance as a Dimension for Financial Inclusion in India through Jansuraksha Scheme: An Empirical Analysis of Statistical Evidence

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajitha Ramachanran ◽  
Dr. Ps Anuradha
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Inclusive Growth ◽  
Allocation Of Resources ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Poor Households ◽  
Micro Insurance ◽  
The Government

Christ University, India Abstract: - Inclusive growth entails comprehensive growth, shared growth, and pro-poor growth. It lessens the fast growth rate of poverty in a country and upsurges the participation of people into the development of the country. Inclusive growth infers an impartial allocation of resources with benefits incurred to every section of the society. But the allocation of resources must be focused on the intended short and long term benefits of the society. Micro insurance is considered as an important instrunment for inclusive growth. With the outset of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan yojana when the government launced the insurance and pension schemes it was considered as a success for the upliftment of the poor and infusing insurance into the lives of the poor. A key aspect of the interest in micro-insurance is to explore ways of significantly increasing the number of poor households belonging to various communities that have access to insurance while enhancing the benefits. This paper is a study to understand how the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyothi Bima yojana is considered as a success for the upliftment of the poor. It analyses how the progress of both these schemes in terms of the growth and progress has increased the inclusiveness of financial services like micro insurance has increased the outreach of these schemes. It is a statistical analysis of the secondary data on the gross enrollment and how it shows that micro insurance still be considered as a important dimension of financial inclusion.

scholarly journals A Study on the Impact of Schemes and Programmes of Government of India on Agriculture to Increase Productivity, Profitability, Financial Inclusion, and Welfare of Farmers to Transform them into Modern Society

2021 ◽  
pp. 231-243
Author(s):  
Mahesh K. M. ◽  
P. S. Aithal ◽  
Sharma K. R. S.
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: The foremost intent of this research article is to create awareness about various schemes for the productive sector of agriculture. Through this study, the level of performance of these agricultural schemes and programmes were analysed that will be helpful for the attainment of financial inclusion. Hence it is necessary to know about various schemes and their making to connect the beneficiaries. Agriculture is the basic source of food supply, production, processing, promotion and distribution. Agricultural products contribute to Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P.) and generate employment in rural areas. They transform the lives of the farmers in modern society. The government of India has introduced Minimum Support Price (MPS), MIF, PMKSY, PMFBY, e-NAM, PM-KISAN, PMJDY, PM-KUSUM, PKVY, NAMS, and MGNREGS. The mobile app KisanSuvidha and innovative programmes like Kisan Rail, KrishiUdaan double the farmers’ Income (DFI). These help in transforming village economy, coverage of irrigation, crop insurance, and stabilizing the income. They also ensure financial support, flow of credit and Direct Benefit transfer of subsidies and funds to beneficiaries. Adopting modern technology, farm-based activity, poultry, dairy, forestry, beekeeping and with the support of SHGs which will directly impact productivity, profitability, financial inclusion, and the welfare of farmers in the 21st century and development of the country’s economy. Design/ methodology/approaches: This study is all about the theoretical concepts based on analysis of various schemes and interconnect. Findings and results: This study reveals that the effectiveness of various agricultural programs and also identifies the benefits and beneficiaries of these schemes. Under this research, various financial services, subsidies, funds released, online platform for agricultural products, funds for micro-irrigation, and so on benefits provided by the government of India were studied. Originality/value: Analysed the various schemes and compelled its beneficiaries and develop a modern to achieve financial inclusion and economic growth through the study. Type of Paper: Research Analysis.

scholarly journals The Nexus between Mobile Money Regulation, Innovative Technology and the Promotion of Financial Inclusion in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 1-33
Author(s):  
Howard Chitimira ◽  
Elfas Torerai
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Regulatory Framework ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Technological Innovations ◽  
Mobile Money ◽  
The Poor

The advent of mobile money innovations has given people in rural areas, informal settlements and other poor communities an opportunity to participate in Zimbabwe's mainstream financial economy. However, the technology-driven money services have presented some challenges to the traditional banking sector in general and the regulation of financial services in particular. Firstly, most mobile money services are products of telecommunication corporations, which are not banks. Telecommunication companies use their network reach to provide mobile money services via mobile devices at a cheaper cost than banks across the country in Zimbabwe. As such, banks face unprecedented competition from telecommunications companies that are venturing into financial services. It also appears that prudential regulation of banks cannot keep up with the fast pace at which technological innovations are developing and this has created a disjuncture between the regulation and the use of technological innovations to promote financial inclusion in Zimbabwe. The Banking Act [Chapter 24:20] 9 of 1999, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act [Chapter 22:15] 5 of 1999 and the National Payment Systems Act [Chapter 24:23] 21 of 2001 have a limited scope in terms of the regulation of mobile money services in Zimbabwe. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development launched the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2016-2020 to provide impetus to the financial inclusion of the poor, unbanked and low-income earners in Zimbabwe. However, the NFIS appears to push more for bank-led financial inclusion than it does for innovation-driven initiatives such as mobile money services. This article highlights the positive influence of mobile money services in improving financial inclusion for the poor, unbanked and low-income earners in Zimbabwe. The article also seeks to point out gaps and flaws in the financial services regulatory framework that may limit the potential of mobile money services to reach more people so that they actively participate in the Zimbabwean economy. It is submitted that the Zimbabwean mobile money services regulations and the financial regulatory framework should be carefully amended in line with the recent innovations in mobile money to adequately regulate the use of mobile money services and innovative technology to address the financial exclusion of the poor, unbanked and low-income earners in Zimbabwe.

scholarly journals FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN ZIMBABWE

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-182
Author(s):  
David Mhlanga ◽  
◽  
Steven Henry Dunga ◽  
Tankiso Moloi ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

The study sought to investigate the impact of financial inclusion on poverty reduction in Zimbabwe among the smallholder farmers. It is alleged that financial inclusion can help in achieving seven of the seventeen sustainable development goals (SDGs), which include poverty eradication in all its forms everywhere, ending hunger, achieving food security, ensuring improved nutrition as well as promoting sustainable agriculture and many others. Using the simple regression method, the study discovered that financial inclusion has a strong impact on poverty reduction among smallholder farmers. The study went on to discover that, for the government to tackle poverty especially among the smallholder farmers, it is important to ensure that farmers do participate in the financial sector through saving, borrowing and taking out insurance among other services. So, it is important for the government of Zimbabwe to fully implement policies that encourage financial inclusion such as making sure that farmers find it easy to access financial institutions and encouraging financial institutions to review transaction costs like bank account opening charges periodically, implementing financial education programs among the farmers because these variables are important in influencing farmers to participate or preventing them from using financial services.

scholarly journals Empowering Women through Financial Inclusion in Zimbabwe Is the Gender Gap Not Encroaching This Noble Cause?

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64
Author(s):  
Lettiah Gumbo ◽  
Precious Dube ◽  
Muhammad Ridwan
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
National Development ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Financial Products ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Government ◽  
Financial Awareness

One of the most effective catalysts of economic growth of any nation is obviously financial inclusion. However, in developing countries such as Zimbabwe gender gap is still an impediment to the achievement of financial inclusion for all. Research findings for this paper show that, increasing women’s financial opportunities and financial awareness on how to access financial products and services will go a long way in reducing the gender gap. Furthermore, increasing access to and use of quality financial products and services is essential to inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction. Although the government of Zimbabwe is taking steps to increase women financial inclusiveness, research shows that women in Zimbabwe trail behind men in as far as access to financial services is concerned. Zimbabwean communities remain dominantly patriarchal and women are always lagging behind in developmental projects meant for their empowerment. This paper seeks to assess the implementation of women’s financial inclusion highlighting opportunities and barriers such as the gender gap and how this may be overcome. The study is qualitative in nature and therefore makes use of interviews and questionnaires for data collection. It is envisioned by the researchers that the research findings will be beneficial to women; their empowerment and development and national development. It is hoped to change the way in which the banking and financial sectors deal with women’s financial inclusion for the betterment of their livelihoods.  Furthermore, women’s financial empowerment will improve livelihoods of many families given the caring nature of mothers, sisters, aunts and grandmothers.

Effectiveness of Financial Inclusion Initiatives

2018 ◽  
pp. 48-65
Author(s):  
K. Sanal Nair ◽  
Saumya Jain
Keyword(s):  
Research Methodology ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Credit Card ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Mobile Banking ◽  
Indian Government ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Government ◽  
One Way Anova

An inclusive financial system has been the major agenda of the Indian government over the past few years and several steps have been taken in this direction. The main purpose of the study is to assess the effectiveness of financial inclusion initiatives taken by Rajasthan government. A questionnaire was drafted and was sent to people from weaker section of the society who have been the beneficiaries of the financial inclusion initiative of the government. Research methodology adopted for the study includes descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA was used to test the association/non-association between the variables. The study concluded towards lack of awareness and usage of financial inclusion initiatives, especially internet, mobile banking, and credit card. In terms of experience with financial services, respondents were positive towards interest on loans and help received by banking staff with respect to documentation and identification norms as well as branch timings. However, distance from the bank and the availability of ATM was an issue for them.

Financial Inclusion in India

2016 ◽  
pp. 95-104
Author(s):  
Rohit Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Working Paper ◽  
Road Map ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
The World

The concept of Financial Inclusion is not a new one. It has become a catchphrase now and has attracted the global attention in the recent past. Lack of accessible, affordable and appropriate financial services has always been a global problem. It is estimated that about 2.9 billion people around the world do not have access to formal sources of banking and financial services. India is said to live in its villages, a convincing statement, considering that nearly 72% of our population lives there. However, a significant proportion of our 650,000 odd villages does not have a single bank branch to boast of, leaving swathes of the rural population in financial exclusion. RBI has reported that the financial exclusion in India leads to the loss of GDP to the extent of one per cent (RBI, Working Paper Series (DEPR): 8/2011). Financially excluded people, consistently, depend on money lenders even for their day to day needs, borrowing at excessive rates to finally get caught in a debt trap. In addition, people in far-off villages are completely unaware of financial products like insurance, which could protect them in adverse situation. Therefore, financial inclusion is a big necessity for our country as a large chunk of the world's poor resides here. Access to finance by the poor and vulnerable groups is a prerequisite for poverty reduction and social cohesion. Present paper is an attempt to highlight the present efforts of financial inclusion in India its future road map, its challenges etc.

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