European Microfinance Award 2018: Financial Inclusion Through Technology

Microfinance has typically been a costly and human-intensive process. The remoteness of target communities, and the need for the human touch in providing financial services to excluded populations means microfinance is expensive to do well, and limited in how it can expand to certain segments who need it the most.

The objective of the European Microfinance Award 2018 was to highlight how financial services providers (FSPs) can use technology innovations to expand outreach, broaden product offerings, improve the client experience, and increase operating efficiency, all guided by an unwavering focus on socially responsible finance. This publication presents the background on the Award, outlines the selection process, the Award ceremony and showcases the Award winner, Advans Côte d'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, and the two finalists ESAF Small Finance Bank, India and KMF, Kazakhstan.