Where Next After VSLA?

This research paper offers a consensus understanding of the potential benefits, opportunities, challenges and best practices for extending the capabilities of informal savings groups. It focuses on linkage with formal financial services providers.

The paper explores the most common reasons for seeking linkage, and explores a number of alternative approaches. It discusses the available evidence on whether linkages work, the primary success factors, and common challenges and barriers to linkage. A section on technology explores the opportunities, and also the risks, in using technology as a part of linkage. It concludes with recommendations for non-governmental organizations currently facilitating informal savings groups.