Our insights

This blog highlights how Women’s World Banking (WWB), with support from the Swiss Re Foundation and SCBF, is expanding health insurance for low-income women savers in Uganda and Senegal. Savings-linked hospital cash insurance strengthens women’s financial resilience while creating sustainable business value for financial service providers - demonstrating SCBF’s role in enabling inclusive, scalable financial solutions.

SCBF supported Accion Advisory and Annapurna Finance in a project that introduced emergency loans - Just-in-Time (JIT) loans - and developed an interactive Customer Engagement Platform (CEP) to help rural entrepreneurs, particularly women in Odisha, eastern India, respond to sudden financial shocks. Designed for speed, accessibility, and flexibility, these tools enable low-income women to access small, pre-approved amounts through digital channels such as SMS, WhatsApp, and voice-based services. This republished blog explores how such financial solutions are vital for helping women retain control during crises and rebuild economic stability.

SCBF, in collaboration with 60 Decibels, is working on collecting emerging insights on the real-world impact of financial inclusion for low-income and underserved communities through its projects. Drawing on outcome studies conducted across seven countries, this report explores how access to tailored financial products - ranging from agricultural insurance to savings-linked health services - is improving income, resilience, and overall well-being. These insights offer a deeper understanding of client experiences and highlight the critical role that inclusive finance plays in building more secure and empowered futures.

The SCBF, with the support of the UBS Optimus Foundation, has published emerging insights on the complex and interconnected relationships between climate, health and financial inclusion for low- and middle-income populations. The report examines key intersections, challenges and opportunities facing climate-vulnerable communities, as well as the innovators and funders working to address their needs.

A report has been compiled to provide a comprehensive contextual analysis of financial inclusion in West Africa and highlights SCBF's engagements across the region. It aims to provide valuable insights and learnings from SCBF’s interventions, showcasing the effectiveness of its approach in addressing financial challenges in West Africa. Additionally, the report includes a summary of all projects implemented in the region, demonstrating the impact SCBF has had in expanding financial access and fostering economic growth in the region.

A study was commissioned by Oxfam Novib Fund to be done by HEDERA and was managed by Triple Jump, explores how financial service providers in Sub Saharan Africa are integrating green finance to tackle climate risks. The study also evaluates the enabling environment and identifies challenges and opportunities for advancement of green finance.

SCBF-supported interventions in West Africa have played a pivotal role in advancing financial inclusion across the region. The initiatives in Togo and Benin focused on digitalizing financial services, complemented by financial education to enhance adoption, while the project in Mali centered on empowering rural women through the Women’s Self-Help Group methodology. The global summary of these case studies highlights key insights, lessons learned, and client experiences, showcasing the impact of these projects on underserved communities.

This blog delves into the impact of the project in Benin with FECECAM, highlighting how it has enhanced clients' access to and utilization of financial services. It showcases the project's role in expanding outreach and delivering secure, accessible financial solutions, with a particular focus on empowering women and youth.

SCBF’s grant to FECECAM in Benin, in collaboration with CFI, played a crucial role in scaling up the digital Planned Saving program. This initiative helped in expanding outreach, providing secure and accessible financial services, particularly to women and youth. By empowering these groups economically, the program contributed to improved living conditions. Additionally, a financial education program was integrated to support the scaling of financial products and foster a culture of financial discipline. To assess the impact, a study was commissioned by SCBF to evaluate how the project has influenced clients' access to and usage of financial services, their living conditions, and the achievement of institutional objectives.