Now reading: Research themes

Research themes


Covering a broad set of issues in financial-sector development, our research explores the role of the financial sector and financial services in improving societal outcomes. This exploratory research generates local knowledge, informed by a global understanding, thereby achieving a powerful and mutually reinforcing impact cycle.

Behavioural Science

Behavioural science seeks to understand the underlying factors that influence judgements and decision-making. These can relate to the individual or to the contextual environment. 


Data and Analytics

The smarter use of data plays a role in all aspects of economic inclusion. Innovative and cost-effective ways to collect, store and analyse data can improve strategic decision-making and enable more client-centric and inclusive product design.


Digital Africa

Ambitions around an increasingly digital and connected Africa, underscored by accelerated digitalisation in response to COVID-19 and technological change, have profound implications for life on the continent.


Insurance for Development

Cenfri, with support from GIZ and in collaboration with On Think Tanks, is exploring the potential for digital financial services and other digital applications to positively contribute to the SDGs and discussing the concerns about potential risks and negative outcomes linked to aspects of rapid digitalisation and development.


Integrity – AML/CFT and Combatting Illicit Flows

Anti-money laundering (AML) and combatting the financing of terrorism (CFT) regulation in combatting illicit flows is currently one of the primary international financial-sector standards that may, if not carefully implemented, have an impact on financial inclusion.


Mesasurement in Financial Inclusion

The increasing prominence of financial inclusion as a tool for development and growth has spawned extensive data-gathering initiatives to measure, understand and improve it. The result is a variety of new measurement frameworks that leverage this data.


Micro- Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

Given the critical role that micro, small and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) play in emerging markets, interventions designed to support them need to be effective in unlocking innovation, employment and economic growth. Cenfri is exploring several areas of MSME-related work


Microinsurance and Health Financing

Microinsurance refers to the provision of insurance to lower-income households. If appropriately designed and intermediated, insurance products can play an important role in reducing vulnerability for low-income households as well as presenting profitable markets for commercial insurance providers. In addition, ensuring well-functioning health financing systems is a critical element of development policy and the delivery of health services.


Payments and Remittances

Cross-border and domestic money transfers play a critical role in the financial strategies of low-income households and present many opportunities to extend financial inclusion.


Policy and Regulation

We use our expertise in a variety of financial sectors, in advising the development of inclusion-friendly financial-sector policy and regulation. The work we do on any component of the financial sector is always placed within the broader financial policy and regulatory framework, and within a clear understanding of market dynamics and trends.


Private Sector Advisory (Innolab)

Our approach starts with the needs of the consumer in the context of their environment. We assist businesses consider options to build better products, enter new markets, develop innovation strategies and navigate related regulatory constraints.


Resilience

Resilience relates to the capacity of individuals, communities, institutions and systems to absorb and address an increasingly complex range of shocks.


Rwanda Economy Digitalisation Programme

The Rwanda Economy Digitalisation Programme is a three-year digital transformation initiative by the Government of Rwanda, the Mastercard Foundation and Cenfri. The programme works with 71point4 and policymakers to develop evidence-based and inclusive policies to reduce poverty and digitise the Rwandan economy.


Technology and Innovation

Technology and innovation is changing the nature of financial markets. Innovation can create opportunities, enhance efficiencies, increase competition, drive scale, and improve the reach and value of financial products and services to consumers. However, with innovation also comes risk.


Read more