Our insights
Southern Voice in ESG: Risk and Opportunity Inquiry
To explore how financial institutions in the Global South perceive and engage with emerging Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks—highlighting both risks and opportunities. Through a study supported by FMO and SCBF, Shining Rock Ventures captures the experiences of 32 financial institutions, shedding light on their readiness, knowledge gaps, and the potential for ESG to drive inclusive investment, despite frameworks being shaped largely by Global North priorities. The blog underscores the need for capacity-building and localized engagement to shape equitable ESG adoption.
Theory meets practice: How can blockchain technology help to scale customer-centric financial services today?
In this piece Chrissy Martin Meier and Sitara Merchant examine whether blockchain is delivering on its promise for financial inclusion. Drawing on SCBF's review of two Kenyan use cases - digital ID wallets (Gravity) and crop insurance (ACRE Africa) - they find that while blockchain shows potential, it’s not yet scalable for low-income communities. Philanthropic efforts should focus on proven solutions rather than unproven blockchain models.
Tackling the Pioneer Gap: Let’s work together to get high-impact solutions to low-income clients
In November 2021, SCBF brought together a select group of its members, donors, and partners to celebrate its 10th anniversary and to discuss how to
Iterating for climate resilience: Designing digitally-enabled agriculture insurance that works for smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe
Blue Marble's report on Zimbabwe highlights efforts to expand climate resilience through microinsurance for smallholder farmers, leveraging mobile technology for enrollment, premium payments, and claims processing. The initiative aims to mitigate climate risks, enhance financial security, and support sustainable agricultural practices in vulnerable communities.
10 years of uniting public-private partners to deliver customer-centric financial services
In 2021, SCBF marked its 10th anniversary. With over a decade of experience, we've been bridging the Pioneer Gap—linking public funds with private expertise to support inclusive finance. We've reached 2.6M low-income clients (68% women) across 47 countries, partnering with 110 financial institutions and 36 TA providers to build investment-ready solutions.
Innovative finance for small businesses in a (mostly) digital world
As a small business owner and mobile money agent in Tanzania, Maria Francis Kihanga experienced an unprecedented level of uncertainty when the Government started to
Expanding the evidence base on the intersection between housing, finance, and resilience: Findings from Indonesia and Egypt
by Jitendra Balani and Chrissy Martin Meier “After [the] renovation, our lives have changed. We now sleep well because our bedrooms are comfortable. We are
What you see is not always what you get: could certification help build consumer (and investor) confidence?
As consumers, we rely on a sometimes bewildering array of certifications and quality assurance standards from fair trade to organic, from ethical fashion to sustainable
Strengthening resilience during COVID-19: How housing finance helped low-income Filipinos through crisis
by Jitendra Balani and Chrissy Martin Meier “[With my loan, I] improved the security condition and ventilation of my house because of using the loan
