Electronic G2P Payments: Evidences from Four Lower-Income Countries

This Focus Note presents the evidence gained from a comprehensive study of the experiences in developing and implementing e-payment schemes linked to financial inclusion in four lower-income countries: Haiti, Kenya, the Philippines, and Uganda. It aims to uncover the development and evolution of e-payments, the current delivery and payment processes, the costs and benefits to programs and providers of using e-payments, and the experiences of e-payment recipients and staff at the field level.

Through a comparative analysis of the four programs’ design and implementation experiences, this report offers six key findings and five specific lessons for cash transfer program managers and PSPs (particularly but not exclusively in lower-income countries) to consider when planning for electronic government-to-person (G2P) payments. The Note concludes by providing recommendations to programs and payment service providers’ partners when exploring, designing, or implementing e-payments. The recommendations include creating sufficient communication channels with recipients, contingency planning, and ensuring value proposition for all stakeholders.