Top Blog Posts of 2023

As 2023 comes to a close, it’s time for our annual roundup of the year’s most popular blog posts. As always, we hope that you’ve found the CGAP blog to be a useful source of expert commentary on the latest developments in financial inclusion, timely research and data, and new ideas. 

This was a significant year for CGAP, with the conclusion of several projects leading up to the launch of a new five-year strategy (CGAP VII Strategy) in July. Our new strategy and subsequent work programs aim to strengthen responsible and inclusive financial ecosystems by elevating the focus of financial inclusion to broader development outcomes. Many of our blogs this year reflected our increased focus on related topics.

Our bloggers discussed why women continue to lag behind as more low-income people generate digital trails, how funding to support inclusive financial systems may be a great place for development funders to support climate adaptation, not just mitigation, why open finance needs data protection to reach its inclusive potential, how gender gaps in financial inclusion can be linked to economic indicators and much more. 

We also continued to look at financial inclusion for gig and platform workers, pushed for greater transparency around funding for financial inclusion, and explained how industry associations can promote responsible digital finance. 

Check out our audience's favorite topics (and more) below.  

1. The Future of Financial Inclusion 

In our best-performing leadership essay of the year, CGAP CEO Sophie Sirtaine lays out CGAP’s new strategy, hinging on the idea that financial inclusion is essential to creating more inclusive, resilient, and green futures. But to deliver on its promise, we must go beyond access to financial accounts and focus on maximizing the impact of inclusive finance.

2. Maximizing the Impact of Financial Inclusion for Young Women

Among which segments of young women could investments in improved financial services make the most impact? This blog highlights findings from a recent CGAP segmentation exercise. 

3. Climate Resilience Through Financial Services: Farzana’s Story

Women, especially those in low-income countries, are faced with higher risk, greater vulnerability, and fewer tools to cope with the impacts of climate change. Financial services can empower women to manage climate risks and build resilience, as we discover in this compelling blog. 

4. Sudan Dispatch: Inclusive Finance in Times of Crisis

Fighting in Sudan has turned the economy upside down and displaced thousands. This blog asks what roles financial services are playing in the unfolding crisis, and why? What must happen next for inclusive finance in Sudan?

5. How Did Bancolombia Create a Successful Rural Agent Network at Scale?

This case study blog features Bancolombia, a great example of a provider that's been successful in developing rural agent business models at scale, therefore playing a critical role in furthering financial inclusion. Here, we look at the factors that explain their success.

6. On Gig Platforms, Women Workers Face Triple Barriers to Inclusion

The type of work that women do on gig platforms makes it harder to connect them to financial services that will translate their income into longer-term gains. As part of our flagship work on gig platforms and financial inclusion, we studied six platforms to understand why fintech innovation does not reach women workers, the results of which are shared here. 

7. Crypto Consumer Protection: Why ‘Wait and See’ Is No Longer an Option

What was once an edgy new market with promises of high returns is now better known for scandal and volatile losses. Here, we argue that better protections for crypto consumers are urgently needed, especially for those who are low-income and least able to weather losses.

8. How Are Climate, Financial Inclusion & Financial Stability Linked?

As financial authorities across the world develop plans to respond to the changing climate, they have opportunities to create a positive feedback loop of expanded financial inclusion and reduced climate risk. This blog explains how. 

9. Women Are Being Digitally Excluded Globally – How Do We Fix That?

At CGAP, we believe digital financial inclusion is a necessary condition for women to be digitally included and economically empowered. This blog reflects on the state of women's digital and financial inclusion globally.

10. Inclusive Voluntary Carbon Markets Could Finance a Just Transition

New CGAP research suggests that voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) hold the potential to finance a green transition across low and middle-income countries – this piece lays out how.