Payments & Remittances
An investigation on digital fiat currency
This interview with Barry Cooper reflects on the highlights from the ITU digital fiat currency working group.
18 June, 2019
Payments & Remittances
Cenfri has broad experience in fit-for-purpose payment systems in emerging markets, particularly in Africa. We work towards making retail payments a public good, assisting central banks, payments operators and payment system participants navigate domestic and cross-border payments modernisation in a manner that contributes to economic inclusion.
We have worked extensively in instant/faster retail payment systems and in improving access to remittances for low-income households. Other projects range from diagnostic and landscaping studies, developing a national payments vision, to analysing payments legislation and regulation, and feasibility studies on central bank digital currency (CBDC). The convergence of payments and identity, as well as the focus on digitising the entire value chain rather than limited use cases, is central to our theory of change in digital payments.
We have worked with IFAD’s Financing Facility for Remittances, the World Bank, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, AfricaNenda, FSD Africa, FSD Kenya, GIZ, UNCDF, BankservAfrica, Finmark Trust, the African Union and the Alliance for Financial Inclusion.
Payments & Remittances
Insurtech Tracker
The rise of insurtechs in emerging markets In light of the insurtech trends, Cenfri wanted to understand to what extent insurtechs in emerging markets are able to better serve the customer and provide more value to both the insurer and the end-user. Our initial work considered insurtech in microinsurance, types
16 June, 2019
Consumer Outcomes
The application of behavioural interventions
As we explore how behavioural science can narrow the gap between customer intention and customer action, we have started to look at examples from specific financial services. Two sectors identified as playing a role in improving the lives of the financially excluded are insurance and formal remittances. Behavioural interventions and
14 June, 2019
Digital Transformation & Data
Central bank digital currency (CBDC) and financial inclusion
What can CBDC do for emerging markets: a case for mobile money Central banks have started to actively explore central bank digital currency (CBDC) – a new digital form of legal tender that mimics cash. Our initial note “The benefits and potential risks of digital fiat currencies” highlighted that CBDC
10 June, 2019
Digital Transformation & Data
Four things we learned at the 2019 Seamless Southern Africa Conference
Understanding the state of digital payments in sub-Saharan Africa. The Seamless Southern Africa conference took place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 11 to 13 March 2019. The conference offered a platform for discussions on an array of topics, including the digitisation of payments, cryptocurrencies and financial innovation, and the
29 May, 2019
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
27 March, 2019
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
21 December, 2018
Payments & Remittances
Learnings from comparing consumer credit protection systems in Pakistan and South Africa
For consumers to take up and use financial products, it is crucial that they trust the product and the service provider. In creating consumer trust in financial products, one of the most important building blocks is the presence and effectiveness of recourse mechanisms [1]. Understanding consumer recourse in Pakistan The risks
6 December, 2018
Payments & Remittances
Tipping the scale in favour of payment systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
For a moment, cast your mind back over the last week. How many payments did you make with your credit card during the week? The answer is most likely quite a few. This will have much to do with you having access to a bank account, fees being affordable and
28 November, 2018
Governance, Policy & Regulation
Regulating for responsible data innovation
The role of insurance regulators in dealing with risks relating to consumer data protection and privacy Data innovation is challenging the traditional role of insurance regulators. Two major dilemmas emerge that insurance regulators and indeed all financial sector regulators face when confronted with how to regulate consumer data: They must
8 November, 2018
