Eric Duflos

Senior Financial Sector Specialist

Eric Duflos leads CGAP’s work on consumer protection and responsible finance, from policy, industry and customer perspectives, ensuring that financial services have positive outcomes for customers. He also coordinates CGAP’s work with global Standard Setting Bodies.

Eric has 28 years of experience in advancing financial inclusion and economic development, with a strong focus on policy and regulatory issues. His most recent position was director of the office of the UNSGSA, H.M. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands where he supported her policy advocacy work. He also helped the UNSGSA design and launch the CEO Partnership for Economic Inclusion. Prior to this, Eric has held several positions within CGAP, including regional representative for East Asia and the Pacific based in Singapore. Eric’s research and advice have focused on client-centered policy and regulatory issues, and digital finance. In his last essay, he proposes a new way to think about consumer protection with a “Responsible Digital Finance Ecosystem” approach. He has authored numerous articles and publications and taught policy and regulation issues at the Turin/Boulder course, Sciences-Po Paris, and universities in Singapore.

Before joining CGAP, Eric worked seven years in the Lao PDR to support the emergence of a financial inclusion policy framework with UNCDF, the Bank of Lao PDR, and the World Bank. He holds a master’s degree in management from EM Lyon, and a master’s in economics and international relations from SAIS, Johns Hopkins University.

By Eric Duflos

Research

Microfinance in Myanmar: Sector Assessment

The report finds that Myanmar’s banking sector so far has found it commercially challenging to extend financial access to the poor. As a result, fewer than 20 people out of 100 have access to formal financial services, with most people relying on family savings or costly alternatives such as informal money lenders.
Research

Financial Inclusion in China

This paper aims to be a first step in providing a picture of the extent and nature of financial inclusion in the People's Republic of China and the size and characteristics of the unbanked and underbanked market.
Blog

Can Myanmar Leapfrog Towards Financial Inclusion?

After years of isolation, the country is finally opening itself up as can be seen by the number of international investors stepping at the door.
Research

A New Look at Microfinance Apexes

This paper reviews recent experience with apex facilities that support institutions delivering retail financial services to poor and low-income clients.
Blog

The Year of the Dragon: More Innovation for Financial Inclusion?

In spite of ongoing reforms, governments exert high levels of controls on the financial sector in East Asia.