We have launched a COVID-19 Tracker, The survey themes include health and risk behaviours, food security, income, work and job security, personal safety concerns, and access to government and community support. www.covid19tracker.africa
This webinar covers strategies to improve digital payments in Tembisa and Hammanskraal, highlighting the challenges these communities face and detailing the planned interventions to overcome them.
Este guia resume as conclusões do estudo de diagnóstico para apoiar o desenvolvimento de programas específicos de género para a inclusão financeira das mulheres nestes corredores.
Cross-border remittances fuel livelihoods in the SADC region. This guide summarises key findings from the diagnostic study to support the development of gender-specific programmes for women’s financial inclusion in these corridors.
The media extensively reported on the insights of the FinScope Consumer South Africa 2023 report. You can find links to most of the TV, radio, and news reports here.
The presentation of results by Jabulani Khumalo - Senior Data and Analytics Specialist, a keynote address by Dr. Pali Lehohla, and a panel discussion with experts Kershia Singh, Dr. Thabang Chiloane, and Pamela Ramagaga.
This year's findings highlight the financial challenges in South Africa, with 40% of adults borrowing money for food and 20 million adults experiencing electricity cuts due to affordability in the past year.
FinMark Trust launches its annual FinScope Consumer South Africa 2023 results today through a virtual webinar. This year's findings highlight the pressing financial challenges South Africans are facing.
Our Annual Report shares our progress in advancing beyond traditional financial inclusion to bring about lasting change focussed on real impact. We're working to create a more inclusive financial system for our region.
This report delves into the experiences of women in the South Africa to Lesotho corridor. It addresses crucial data gaps, aiding in targeted support for digital payments in Southern Africa.
This report delves into the experiences of women in the South Africa to Mozambique corridor. It addresses crucial data gaps, aiding in targeted support for digital payments in Southern Africa.
Este relatório explora as experiências das mulheres no corredor da África do Sul para Moçambique. Ele aborda lacunas críticas de dados, auxiliando no suporte direcionado para pagamentos digitais no Sul da África.
This report delves into the experiences of women in the South Africa to Malawi corridor. It addresses crucial data gaps, aiding in targeted support for digital payments in Southern Africa.
The South African informal sector is a vibrant thread, pulsating with entrepreneurial energy. Valued at almost $10 billion annually and representing 17% of the country’s total employment.
Formal financial and economic inclusion remains pivotal in addressing the rampant inequality in many African economies today.
Families' access to financial resources is crucial for building thriving communities and fostering economic growth. Remittances, as a vital source of income, provide millions of people with the means to meet their basic needs.
Jabulani Khumalo, our Data and Analytics Specialist and lead on the FinScope Consumer South Africa 2022 survey results joins John Maytham on the Afternoon Drive on Cape Talk to discuss the findings of the survey.
YouFM interviewed Jabulani Khumalo on the latest FinScope Consumer South Africa 2022 survey results, focussing on the cost of living for South African consumers. Listen to the interview here.
‘South Africans are borrowing so much that now we are borrowing food’ - Obert was interviewed on Phalaphala FM
The latest FinScope Consumer Survey shows the main reason for borrowing money in 2022 was to pay for living expenses, specifically food and groceries.
Do we need to do more in terms of educating people about the risks of cash and the benefits of electronic payments?
How can we support those working in the informal sector?
Financial Services as a Tool for Building Resilience: In the face of climate change and energy crisis shocks
The launch will be presented in two parts, the first of which will be a presentation of the survey's top-line findings. A series of breakaway sessions will follow, where participants will be invited to interact with the data in greater depth.
In 2022, FinMark Trust continued to make progress in our efforts to improve the lives of the poor by prioritising inclusive growth and the development of sustainable livelihoods. Read more in our 2022 annual report.
Twenty years ago, when FinMark Trust was established, we took the dream of making financial markets work for the poor and turned it into reality. Join us as we reflect on this journey, with key milestones highlighted in our digital journal.
This summary guide of the report on the state of the digital payments ecosystem in South African townships (Hammanskraal and Tembisa) shares key insights and recommendations from research conducted in 2022.
Provide an in-depth understanding of community needs and attitudes vis-à-vis financial services, digital services, community structures and support services.
FinScope consumer surveys offer insights into people's financial needs, preferences, and behaviour. It does not attempt to replicate the work of censuses or other annual surveys.
This pocket guide highlights key findings from the market assessment of remittance flows into and out of South Africa using SARB data and a mystery shopping exercise looking at the costs of remitting via various channels, from South Africa.
FinMark Trust conducted a market assessment of remittance flows into and out of South Africa using SARB data and a mystery shopping exercise looking at the costs of remitting via various channels, from South Africa to other countries in the SADC.
FinScope South Africa Consumer 2021 Results - Webinar
Presentation on sharing the most recent prices across various channels – as well as addressing some of the market's most significant changes with experts from the field.
This year saw us implementing what we call Financial Inclusion 2.0 to ensure better real sector outcomes for the poor and women in the region. Read more in our 2021 annual report
The road to the Olympics for a young woman in the country is fraught with hurdles, though. To unpack why, consider the hurdles a young woman who is an aspiring Olympic athlete must overcome,
How much do South Africans spend on funeral insurance? Our South Africa Programme Specialist, Phumelele Ngcobo, was on Ukhozi FM to discuss funeral insurance in South Africa.
Are we spending too much on funeral insurance? Our head of the South Africa Programme, Lesego Mashigo, reflects on the insights of our latest research on the industry in South Africa.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu performed one last act of leadership in requesting a pine casket, igniting the long-overdue national conversation on what it means to be buried with dignity.
South Africa experienced a series of unexpected social unrest that saw many township and informal businesses destroyed or looted and malls burnt. It was like a scene from a violent movie, which graduated to loss of lives in some instances.
Impact of Covid-19 and Social unrest a double blow for MSMEs - FinScope uses data to understand current challenges facing MSMEs
Migrants have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 economic fallout. In addition to lockdowns and job losses, they struggle to access adequate support, especially for their families back home that depend on them.
Informal cross border trade is important to the food security, supply of basic medical goods, as well as the livelihoods of millions. Find out more about the key corridors between SA and 5 key countries.
South Africa and Eswatini Remittances Corridor Diagnostic, this report is a compilation of research findings to inform the implementation of the IFAD’s Financial Inclusion and Cluster Development (FINCLUDE) programme in Eswatini.
The study aimed to review the impact of the switch from the KYC approach to the risk-based approach on financial inclusion.
South Africa has implemented a shift from a rules-based approach to anti-money laundering and combating terrorist financing (AML/CTF) to a risk-based approach (RBA), a move that came into effect with the amendment to the Financial Intelligence Act.
Although women’s achievements, resilience and innovations exhibited during the Covid-19 pandemic are worth acknowledging, women continue to face various barriers.
This blog shares updates on the launched Income Relief Fund for Migrants to provide short term relief to SADC migrants and their families with support from FCDO
Documenting the findings of the research study on socio-economic factors faced by South African social grant recipients while also assessing similar global initiatives.
Given the importance of social grants in the livelihoods of the poor, it is appropriate to leverage this mechanism to promote income generation and security of livelihoods.
As viewed, moving grant distribution towards greater impact requires the establishment, promotion and support of inclusive digital payment ecosystems at community level.
Limited support has been provided for economic migrants who send money home to support family members. See what support has been created for migrants in South Africa.
Highlighting the usage of access to financial services in South Africa in 2019, to better understand market needs and attitudes of both informal and formal offerings.
SADC Innovation Challenge objectives, competition timelines, the thematic challenges, the participant overview, and the in-country and regional winners.
Masterclass with Craig McLeod, Term Sheets, Dev Ops and Revenue Hacks - What 20 years of building products has taught Craig McLeod.
Masterclass with Tomi Davies, Building an investment worthy startup
African innovation refers to innovative technologies, start-ups, and programs developed by Africans for African needs and challenges – African Innovation Foundation
Mobile Money has evolved as a utility to provide financial services largely to the unbanked population.
In South Africa to the rest of SADC, Remittance Pricing report, presented are the findings from a mystery shopping exercise
Read more on the research findings on cross border remittances from South Africa to the rest of SADC 2020.
a significant portion of adult South Africans are exposed to the necessary delivery of cash to get their social grants
South Africa’s informal savings market thrives – R44 billion collectively saved in approximately 820,000 stokvels.
2020 South Africa Youth Month infographic dashboard using FinScope 2019 data
View the webinar on the research findings - cross border remittances from South Africa to the rest of SADC here
This report focuses on how FinMark Trust support in innovation that drives impact and enables marginalised communities to work towards sustainable livelihoods through financial inclusion.
This report focuses on how FinMark Trust support in innovation that drives impact and enables marginalised communities to work towards sustainable livelihoods through financial inclusion.
There is a lot of attention on the effects and impact of Covid-19 on our daily lives and we are immersed in stories from all sectors in South Africa.
Read more on COVID-19 livelihood impacts, health behaviours and awareness in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
No country or continent is untouched by COVID-19; but developing markets will see more short- and long-term negative social and economic effects than the developed world.
We are currently collecting data for the COVID-19 Tracker. Click on the link to visit the website for more information.
How to ensure inclusive innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Factors which turn specific city regions into engine rooms for tech innovation and taking solutions to market.
Four findings from the DataHack4FI Innovation Competition.
Applying the Risk-Based Approach – Undertaking AML/CTF Risk Assessment of low-value remittance and banking products and services in South Africa
Below is an extract of our conversation, offering unique insight into a product impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of migrants across South Africa:
While financial inclusion has risen to 68% globally, Sub Saharan Africa continues to lag with only 32% of its citizens having an account at a financial institution.
Explore our latest research on Digital Africa, the platform economy and associated financial services
The Shoprite cross-border money remittance product reached the R1 billion mark in January 2019
The FinScope South Africa 2018 Survey highlighted many issues pertinent to financial inclusion in South Africa.
This summary presents the main findings on impact and drivers of change for SaveAct savings groups programme
Seeking to better understand the trends and the underlying motivation to use financial services
The current economic situation in South Africa presents a large number of people relying on the informal economy,
SADC migrants in South Africa remit approximately R16.6 billion home annually.
The research report study focused on the factors that drove the termination of mobile money services in South Africa.
We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like
The second blog in our Measurement Frameworks series, building tools to measure how, and how much, consumers benefit from Financial Inclusion.
This report was commissioned by FinMark Trust and carried out through Genesis to assess the cost of cross-border remittances in South Africa.
Remittance markets comprise both a commercial opportunity for financial sector operators, and an important means of supporting impoverished communities.
A quarter of South Africans rely on social grants and the grant allows millions to access formal financial services.
This report provides an update on the available money transfer offerings that facilitate remittance flows from South Africa to other countries in SADC.
See the Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment (FICA) Act: Pre-implementation Study in South Africa report.
Over the past five years, the move towards digital financial services and simplified account opening procedures has improved the take-up of accounts by the poor.
The research first required an understanding of the global landscape regarding agricultural subsidies, including some analysis of the changes over time,
Worldwide, countries have been increasing their efforts to expand the financial services sector, particularly to low income consumers.
Findings show that affordability of schemes is a key challenge for the low income market, largely due to regulatory constraints prescribed within the Medical Schemes Act.
See the results of the FinScope Consumer Survey South Africa 2016.
This study investigated the nature of abuse in the informal funeral parlour market by talking to consumers themselves.
GIS is increasingly informing decision-making in financial inclusion.
Presentation on understanding the current state of regional financial integration (RFI) within the SADC region.
The first step in a long journey towards a harmonised legal and regulatory framework for payments in the SADC.
The SADC Secretariat and FinMark Trust identified the need to understand the current state of regional financial integration (RFI) within the SADC region.
Financial Inclusion in SADC through the FinScope Lenses” provides an in-depth analysis of the current state of financial inclusion in the twelve SADC states.
Government efforts to promote access to formal credit of SMEs are synonymous with encouraging growth of these enterprises.
A wide divergence exists in the level of credit information sharing across different SADC
About 31.2 million (84%) of adults are formally served, that is they have a bank and other formal non- bank product/services, compared to 80% in 2014.
The 2015 FinScope survey shows that in South Africa levels of financial inclusion remain stable at 87% compared to 86% in 2014.
The 2015 FinScope survey shows that in South Africa levels of financial inclusion remain stable at 87% compared to 86% in 2014.
Focus note 1 - Financial Inclusion and AML/CFT
Focus Note 2: Risk-based approaches to AML/CFT
Focus Note 3: AML / CFT due diligence and related matters
Focus Note 4: Mobile services / technology
Focus Note 5: Harmonisation of regulatory frameworks in the SADC region
Consolidated report Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism in Certain SADC Countries
This note considers a method of measuring the value of life microinsurance
This paper analyses the question through the lens of the low-income consumer in South Africa.
The case of a funeral administrator
FinMark Trust conducted a study which aimed to evaluate the current FE curriculum used by SaveAct and its delivery to SCG members
The study is located in the context of centuries of formal and informal racial division in South Africa.
Through this study a Financial Education ToolKit (FE) was developed.
Presentation by Kim Dancey delivered at the linkages workshop held on 15 July 2013.
FinMark Trust, with the assistance of a team from the consulting firm Genesis Analytics, developed a Financial Education ToolKit.
Developing an effective financial education strategy for peri-urban and rural savings and credit groups
Presentation delivered by Peter Gross at the Insurers Assocation Zambia Seminar on 28 May 2013.
The key objective of the projects is to understand the legal insurance environment in South Africa
The study is the second phase of a three-year programme to increase access to and the uptake of rural and agricultural financial services in southern Africa
Executive summary - the status of rural and agricultural financial services in Southern Africa 2011
This presentation focuses on the performance of mortgages granted to lower income households in South Africa since 2004.
Better understand the role and use of co-operative financial institutions (CFIs) as viable alternatives to the commercial banking sector for accessing financial services.
Finscope have released findings of a ten year survey that measures and profiles levels of access to financial services in Africa's biggest economy.
This document describes frog's approach, findings and recommendations.
FinMark Trust released the results of its annual FinScope South Africa 2012 survey results today.
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effectiveness of HCPs in meeting the cost of health care for low income-earners.
The housing finance in Africa year book is intended to provide readers insight into the practice and developments in housing finance in Africa
Increased financial inclusion has been recognised as crucial to encouraging home ownership, household savings plans and the expansion of small business
The funding of health care in South Africa has a long and complex history. Private medical schemes operate as not for profit trusts and pool members
In recent years, social grants have injected money into rural communities on a scale previously unimaginable.
Why Payment Systems matter to Financial Inclusion
It is well known that there are large remittance flows from South Africa to other countries in the SADC region and that a substantial proportion of such flows are informal
FinMark Trust recently commissioned research that has uncovered the far-reaching impact of savings and credit groups
FinMark Trust commissioned Progressus Research Development to document the experiences of recipients (cash and electronic) to provide insights
SaveAct A rural savings model in South Africa.
Understanding Strategies and Opportunities to Promote Livelihoods Strategies and Small Enterprise Development
See the South Africa-SADC remittance channel report here.
FinMark Trust commissioned a research report that provided, amongst other findings, an initial estimate of the size of the SADC remittance market.
The study aimed to sketch the landscape of retail payment services in South Africa that have a positive impact on financial inclusion
The study aimed to sketch the landscape of retail payment services in South Africa that have a positive impact on financial inclusion
The study aimed to sketch the landscape of retail payment services in South Africa that have a positive impact on financial inclusion
The study aimed to sketch the landscape of retail payment services in South Africa that have a positive impact on financial inclusion
The profile of retail payment services and models in South Africa, Focus Note 1.
A report reflecting the state of progress of implementation of the Protocol on Finance and Investment in SADC.
This report summarises the findings of the first phase of the work, namely, an assessment of the current state of rural and agricultural financial services in the region
This case study reflects on regulatory developments in the South African microinsurance market intended to better protect lower income consumers of insurance
Understanding the last mile in cross-border money transfers from South Africa to Zambia.
Drivers of conservative compliance responses in the South African financial services industry.
This focus note highlights our experience as 'mystery shoppers'; presents pricing data collected from banks, the Post Office and SWIFT.
See the report on retail payment systems and models in South Africa.
FSC mortgage loan performance with real data presentation delivered at the FinMark Forum in August 2011.
See the FinScope Consumer South Africa 2011 results.
FinScope South Africa Small Business Survey 2010 Full Report
See the executive summary Moving Towards Economic Independence for Social Grant Recipients through the Self-help Approach.
See the brochure for the FinScope Small Business South Africa 2010.
See the report on the review of South African microfinance - successes, challenges and policy issues.
The primary objective of the FinScope survey is to measure and profile levels of access to financial services by all adults in South Africa
The FinScope 2010 South Africa Small Business Survey is the first comprehensive publicly available nationally representative survey
The Mzansi account is an entry-level bank account, based on a magnetic stripe debit card platform, developed by the South African banking industry
When the South African anti-money laundering regulations were drafted in 2002, the Minister of Finance made an exemption to protect so-called mass market banking services
The objective of this study is to investigate the landscape for recourse in South Africa's financial services sector.
The objective of this study is to investigate the landscape for recourse in South Africa's financial services sector
This paper analyses the potential impact of this Act and its regulations on access to all forms of financial services.
It is estimated that over 6 million people currently belong to burial societies where an estimated R6 billion is invested every year.
A review of the capacity, lessons learned and way forward for member-based financial institutions in South Africa