Women Financial Inclusion DSS and development of NFIS II
Country
Zimbabwe
Member institution
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
Timeline
October 2021 – September 2022
Thematic area
Financial inclusion strategy, gender inclusive finance
Context
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe was encountering challenges in formulating an effective financial inclusion strategy without access to evidence-based data. A priority for RBZ is to collect timely, accurate, and valid data on the demographic characteristics of financial services users in order to identify segments of the population with the greatest barriers to financial inclusion, such as women, rural populations, and the poor. RBZ noted a lack of reliable demand-side information on barriers to access and usage, as well as an understanding of the needs of target groups. This created the risk that financial inclusion strategies developed without evidence-based data could produce misguided results, which in turn might misguide further policies.
Project Activities
Outcome
The project played a critical role in equipping the RBZ with evidence-based data and insights necessary for the development of its National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS). The implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework ensured the successful execution of the strategy, while the inclusion of gender-focused policy recommendations underscored the RBZ’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and gender-responsive financial ecosystem in Zimbabwe. By conducting regular monitoring and evaluation, the RBZ and its partners can effectively track the progress of NFIS identify areas requiring improvement, and make informed policy decisions to enhance financial inclusion.