Now reading: The evolution of agent networks in Africa

Digital Transformation & Data


Cenfri contributes to building the fundamentals of welfare-enhancing digital economies. We prioritise digital transformation that is inclusive, sustainable, opportunity-creating and has appropriate safeguards. Digital transformation underpins much of our work and ranges from payments digitalisation to digital economy diagnostics, and digital skills assessments to direct digitalisation support.

Cenfri also collaborates with policymakers and other public and private sector stakeholders in data-driven decision-making that is calibrated to the data available and is designed to strengthen the existing skills and data governance processes within these organisations. The Rwanda Economy Digitalisation Programme is our flagship evidence-informed policymaking and data-for-decisions intervention, but we have considerable experience in using evidence to generate insights and inform policymaking and business decision-making with a view to improved economic development outcomes. Our expertise in data, payments and digital identity enables us to contribute to current DPI (digital public infrastructure) conversations.

Evolution of agent networks in Africa
Digital Transformation & Data

The evolution of agent networks in Africa

Case study: Kenya The majority of mobile-money flows continue to be dominated by cash-in and cash-out (CICO) transactions. This has led to the increasing belief that widely distributed networks of agents are essential access points for consumers, especially in rural and remote regions, to facilitate CICO needs. It is accepted

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DataHack4FI
Digital Transformation & Data

ZPOS: The potential of merchant data in improving credit access

DataHack4FI country winner discovering the prospect of using financial management and accounting systems to generate credit scores Almost half the micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Zambia – comprising approximately 80% [1] of Zambia’s private-sector businesses – perceive the lack of access to credit as a significant hurdle to their

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Digital Transformation & Data

You matter more than you think: The role of actuaries in the digital age

Traditionally, actuaries find themselves poring over mortality tables and calculating complicated risks with limited data, particularly in emerging markets. With the advent of the fourth industrial revolution, this is changing. The world seems to be revolving around data. Data is making our lives more convenient. We have fridges that order

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How are African digital platforms shaping the economic development conversation?
Digital Transformation & Data

How are African digital platforms shaping the economic development conversation?

Insights from an expert workshop on the potential of African digital platforms to influence development African digital platforms are giving rise to new financial needs; creating and bridging barriers to financial and economic inclusion; and revolutionising the informal economic activities of merchants and individuals. These platforms can have both positive

Read More »
Digital Transformation & Data

Payment systems in sub-Saharan Africa

This two-part note series explores the state of national and regional payment systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Note 1 explores themes and imperatives for national and regional payment systems that enable remittances. It provides an overview of the regulatory frameworks in SSA and the principles to be considered to mitigate risks

Read More »
Leadership and police insurance COVID-19
Digital Transformation & Data

Bizfundi: Improving credit access through tailored business advice

Targeting small businesses with personalised business advice and predicting successful loan applications Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play a key role in economic development, but they face challenges in accessing finance. This case study explores a Tanzanian initiative that aims to support MSMEs – particularly those owned by women and youth –

Read More »
Digital identity
Digital Transformation & Data

Democratising KYC requirements

Paul Damalie, CEO of Inclusive Innovations Inc., and winner of the Ghana leg of DataHack4FI Season 2, explains how he is growing his digital identity business.  You started the business in 2016. Tell us about your journey in building an African identify solution.  After completing high school, I joined an insurance

Read More »
Digital Transformation & Data

African digital platforms and the future of digital financial services

As societies and economies change, so should the financial products that serve them The insight2impact facility in partnership with Research ICT Africa have created this series of infographics to describe their key findings on multi-sided platforms as part of the exploration on the rise of African digital platforms, and the individuals

Read More »
Digital Transformation & Data

A-trader: Promoting investment and savings with robo-advisor services

A case study on DataHack4FI Innovation Award winner for Tanzania  A-trader seeks to assist fellow Tanzanians in reaching their financial and investment goals. It seeks to do this by breaking down the barriers faced by these individuals in accessing investment opportunities. Its flagship product, the A-trader Digital Platform, allows beginner

Read More »
Evolution of agent networks in Africa
Digital Transformation & Data

The evolution of agent networks in Africa

Case study: Kenya The majority of mobile-money flows continue to be dominated by cash-in and cash-out (CICO) transactions. This has led to the increasing belief that widely distributed networks of agents are essential access points for consumers, especially in rural and remote regions, to facilitate CICO needs. It is accepted

DataHack4FI
Digital Transformation & Data

ZPOS: The potential of merchant data in improving credit access

DataHack4FI country winner discovering the prospect of using financial management and accounting systems to generate credit scores Almost half the micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Zambia – comprising approximately 80% [1] of Zambia’s private-sector businesses – perceive the lack of access to credit as a significant hurdle to their

Digital Transformation & Data

You matter more than you think: The role of actuaries in the digital age

Traditionally, actuaries find themselves poring over mortality tables and calculating complicated risks with limited data, particularly in emerging markets. With the advent of the fourth industrial revolution, this is changing. The world seems to be revolving around data. Data is making our lives more convenient. We have fridges that order

How are African digital platforms shaping the economic development conversation?
Digital Transformation & Data

How are African digital platforms shaping the economic development conversation?

Insights from an expert workshop on the potential of African digital platforms to influence development African digital platforms are giving rise to new financial needs; creating and bridging barriers to financial and economic inclusion; and revolutionising the informal economic activities of merchants and individuals. These platforms can have both positive

Digital Transformation & Data

Payment systems in sub-Saharan Africa

This two-part note series explores the state of national and regional payment systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Note 1 explores themes and imperatives for national and regional payment systems that enable remittances. It provides an overview of the regulatory frameworks in SSA and the principles to be considered to mitigate risks

Leadership and police insurance COVID-19
Digital Transformation & Data

Bizfundi: Improving credit access through tailored business advice

Targeting small businesses with personalised business advice and predicting successful loan applications Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play a key role in economic development, but they face challenges in accessing finance. This case study explores a Tanzanian initiative that aims to support MSMEs – particularly those owned by women and youth –

Digital platform ecosystem
Digital Transformation & Data

The potential of digital platforms as distributors and enablers of insurance in Africa

The past decade has seen the emergence of digital platforms. These digital platforms (also known as multi-sided platforms[1]) connect buyers and sellers of goods and services and allow them to seamlessly transact with one another. They are providing new ways for workers, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and consumers

Digital identity
Digital Transformation & Data

Democratising KYC requirements

Paul Damalie, CEO of Inclusive Innovations Inc., and winner of the Ghana leg of DataHack4FI Season 2, explains how he is growing his digital identity business.  You started the business in 2016. Tell us about your journey in building an African identify solution.  After completing high school, I joined an insurance

Digital Transformation & Data

African digital platforms and the future of digital financial services

As societies and economies change, so should the financial products that serve them The insight2impact facility in partnership with Research ICT Africa have created this series of infographics to describe their key findings on multi-sided platforms as part of the exploration on the rise of African digital platforms, and the individuals

Digital Transformation & Data

A-trader: Promoting investment and savings with robo-advisor services

A case study on DataHack4FI Innovation Award winner for Tanzania  A-trader seeks to assist fellow Tanzanians in reaching their financial and investment goals. It seeks to do this by breaking down the barriers faced by these individuals in accessing investment opportunities. Its flagship product, the A-trader Digital Platform, allows beginner