PROJECTS
We provide our expertise, passion and commitment to support the development of the financial and SME sectors.
REDUCING THE GENDER GAP IN THE FINANCIAL BANKING SECTOR IN PALESTINE
The Palestine Monetary Authority 2024 - on going
Strategic initiative to bridge the gender gap in Palestine’s financial banking sector by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the financial landscape. The project identifies best practices, develops a regulatory framework, and formulates evidence-based policy recommendations to enhance women’s financial inclusion, ensuring equitable access to financial services and economic opportunities.
PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DESIGN IN LEBANON
Credit Institute for Reconstruction (KFW) 2024 - on going
Design of a private sector development program to support Lebanon’s socio-economic recovery by promoting sustainable economic growth and local value creation. The initiative focuses on identifying and assessing viable financial support mechanisms tailored to SMEs, which constitute a vital component of the national economy but face considerable financing constraints due to ongoing political and economic challenges. The program aims to enhance access to finance through targeted mechanisms, fostering resilience and long-term economic stability.
DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION STRATEGY (NFIS) FOR COSTA RICA
Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) & General Superintendent of Financial Institutions (SUFEF) 2024 - on going
Formulation of a comprehensive National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) for Costa Rica, aimed at improving access to financial services, particularly for underserved populations. The strategy will address financial inclusion gaps by conducting an in-depth assessment of the financial landscape and implementing policies that foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The NFIS aligns with national and international best practices to ensure financial accessibility and resilience.
SOCIAL IMPACT MEASUREMENT TOOLKIT FOR MICROFINANCE PROVIDERS IN EUROPE
Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) 2024 - on going
Development of a Social Impact Measurement Toolkit in collaboration with the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), designed to support microfinance institutions (MFIs) across Europe in evaluating and reporting their social impact. This initiative enhances transparency, accountability, and sustainability in the microfinance sector by providing standardized methodologies for impact assessment, ensuring that microfinance contributes effectively to social and economic development.
AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE SCHEME FOR SMALLHOLDER FARMERS
World Vision 2024
Evaluation and development of sustainable agricultural insurance solutions for smallholder farmers in Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania to enhance resilience against climate-related risks. The project assesses existing agri-climate insurance options and identifies scalable models that improve farmers’ financial security and integration into agricultural value chains. By recommending tailored insurance products and risk management strategies, the initiative seeks to foster long-term stability and economic empowerment for smallholder communities.
FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR A PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN LEBANON
Credit Institute for Reconstruction (KFW) 2024
Assessment of financial support mechanisms to foster Lebanon’s socio-economic recovery through sustainable economic growth and local value creation. The study evaluates the viability of targeted financing solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are crucial to Lebanon’s economy but face significant barriers to access financing due to prevailing political and economic challenges. The project aims to identify scalable financial instruments, leveraging domestic and international capital, to enhance SME resilience and promote inclusive economic development in alignment with national recovery priorities.
SMALLHOLDER SAFETY NET UPSCALING PROGRAMME (SSNUP) - MID-TERM EVALUATION
Tunisia - SIDI 2021
Appui au Développement autonome (ADA) 2024
Mid-term evaluation of the SSNUP program, conducted in alignment with OECD-DAC criteria to assess its effectiveness, relevance, coherence, efficiency, sustainability, and preliminary impact. The evaluation provides actionable insights to inform the design of SSNUP’s second phase (2025-2030), focusing on its contributions to agricultural value chain development, smallholder farmer resilience, and the promotion of sustainable and inclusive agricultural practices in accordance with global standards.
INNOVATIVE FINANCING FOR ANTICIPATORY ACTION (AA) - SOMALIA
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) 2023-2024
Exploration and development of innovative financing solutions to support anticipatory action (AA) in response to climate-induced displacement in Somalia. The project aims to build a robust business case for anticipatory financing by identifying effective financial structures, assessing the cost-effectiveness of AA mechanisms, and recommending scalable financing solutions that enhance community resilience. Through these efforts, the initiative seeks to establish sustainable financial models for proactive disaster response and mitigation.
STRENGTHENING THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS INTEGRATING GENDER PERSPECTIVE
Superintendencia de economía popular y solidaria 2023-2024
Enhancement of Ecuador’s financial education framework and governance practices within the Popular and Solidarity Economy sector, with a focus on gender equity. The initiative aims to improve financial literacy, address gender disparities in financial participation, and support SEPS-regulated entities in adopting inclusive governance models. By integrating a gender perspective, the project seeks to promote equitable access to financial services and strengthen financial inclusion for vulnerable populations.
ROADMAP FOR INCLUSIVE GREEN FINANCE IMPLEMENTATION
Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) 2023
Development of a strategic roadmap to facilitate the practical implementation of Inclusive Green Finance (IGF) policies among AFI member institutions. The project bridges the gap between theoretical policy frameworks and real-world application by providing actionable guidance, documenting case studies from six member countries, and delivering regulatory recommendations. These efforts support financial institutions in advancing sustainable finance strategies while addressing climate-related economic challenges.
DESIGN AND MANAGE THE REGULATORY SANDBOX UNIT OF THE NATIONAL BANK OF ETHIOPIA AND THE ETHIOPIAN CAPITAL MARKET AUTHORITY
United Nations Development Programme 2024 - on going
Development and management of a regulatory sandbox unit within the framework of the Innovative Finance Lab initiative. This initiative provides fintech startups and financial innovators with a controlled regulatory environment to test and refine solutions aimed at addressing financial inclusion challenges. The sandbox ensures compliance with national financial regulations while promoting consumer protection, risk management, and alignment with Ethiopia’s broader economic priorities.
REFINING FINANCIAL INCLUSION MEASUREMENT IN KENYA: FOCUS ON NON-BINARY ACCESS AND USAGE FREQUENCY FOR IMPROVED COMMUNICABILITY
Financial Sector Deepening Kenya Kenya 2024 - on going
Enhancement of financial inclusion measurement through the development of Access and Frequency Indexes, designed to provide a more comprehensive and detailed analysis of financial service usage across diverse population segments. The project aims to improve data accuracy and communicability, equipping policymakers with refined insights to design targeted interventions that foster inclusive financial participation.
DEVELOPMENT OF COSTA RICA'S NATIONAL CREDIT INFORMATION SYSTEM
Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) & General Superintendent of Financial Institutions (SUFEF) 2023
Design and implementation of an inclusive National Credit Information System to strengthen Costa Rica’s financial infrastructure. The project integrates international best practices into the country’s regulatory framework, enhancing credit reporting mechanisms for both regulated and non-regulated entities. By reducing information asymmetry and fostering financial inclusion, the initiative aims to improve access to credit, particularly for underserved populations, while ensuring transparency and financial stability.
FINACCESS DEEP-DIVES
Kenya - Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Trust 2022
Undertake in-depth analysis of the FinAccess data to inform policy and business development, through providing a richer understanding of drivers and opportunities for inclusive finance and sustainable growth. Taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the rich data set available, the project aims at providing detailed analytics that will inform FSD programming as well as guiding policy on key areas of focus, including supporting recovery from COVID-19.
PROJECT EVALUATION “IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF MICRO-ENTREPRENEURS”
Uganda – UNCDF 2021-22
Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) 2022
EMN and ADA carried out a joint research project in financial health of micro-entrepreneurs to identify and share good practices on the assessment of financial health and specific support provided to micro-entrepreneurs at risk or facing financial issues. The purpose of the evaluation is to assess if and how the financial health enhancement process and tools outlined in the manual responded to the needs of FSPs/NFSPs.
FINANCIAL SECTOR SCOPING STUDY
Algeria - KfW 2023
The Financial Sector Scoping Study arises from the agreement between the German and Algerian governments to deepen bilateral cooperation in the field of private (SME) sector development. The objective is to carry out an assessment of the financial sector in Algeria and to evaluate the potential for investment, including the identification of eligible partner institutions. The study includes an overview of the financial sector, legal and regulatory framework, financial inclusion, and SME sector as well as recommendations on the strategy for a potential KfW intervention in the country.
MID-TERM EVALUATION OF UNCDF’S SUPPORT TO THE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE FOR NORTHERN UGANDA
Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) 2022
Evaluation of the MSME Finance Component. Blended Finance Facility which provides reimbursable grants and loans to finance value chain addition projects in agriculture, leveraging domestic capital by attracting farmers’ savings, concessional and regular finance and guarantees from financial institutions and private firms. The facility operates through three business lines: Business Development Services (BDS), Project Development and Structuring Services and Financial Services to SMEs and includes specific targets for women- and youth-owned businesses.
DEVELOPMENT OF A SPECIAL REPORT ON INCLUSIVE GREEN FINANCE DATA
Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) 2021-22
Develop a Special Report to provide guidance to financial sector regulators to establish a gender sensitive measurement framework on Inclusive Green Finance Data (IGF) collection from the supply side.
DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICY CATALOGUE FOR WOMEN-OWNED/LED MSME FINANCING
Tunisia - SIDI 2021
Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) 2021.
Provide financial regulators and policymakers with a practical resource to support the development and implementation of gender transformative MSME policies that can help bridge women-owned/led MSME financing gap.
Countries: Philippines, Mongolia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Peru, Egypt, Palestine, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe.
MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Ecuador - AFI and SEPS 2021
Contribute to the efforts for adaptation and mitigation of climate change in Ecuador and increase financial inclusion through the introduction of Environmental and Social Risk Management (ESRM) Guidelines in the regulatory framework of the Superintendency of Popular and Solidarity Economy (SEPS), the supervisory authority for Savings and Credit Cooperatives (COAC).
BUSINESS PLAN FOR SME IN THE PALM DATE VALUE CHAIN
Tunisia - SIDI 2021
Leveraging their expertise in the production of organic and biodynamic dates, provide support to agribusiness SME for the review of their strategy and formulation of their business plan and financial projections. Among others, the purpose is to help the company integrate their long-term engagement with smallholder farmers, women and youth and the environment into their strategy with a view to further enhance the engagement with these stakeholders and leverage it to increase their export.
STRATEGIC SUPPORT SERVICES TO SME IN THE PALM DATE VALUE CHAIN
Tunisia - responsAbility TAFA 2020
Provide strategic guidance and support to agribusiness SME to implement the objectives identified during the elaboration of their business plan. The services are addressed at improving market linkages, increasing access to finance for working capital and CAPEX, mentoring and building internal capabilities, enhancing internal processes, developing a sustainability and CSR strategy.