Investing for Financial Inclusion: Four Enablers for Outcomes Measurement and Management

While some impact investors are innovating with impact measurement and management (IMM) that prioritizes development and intermediate outcomes of financial inclusion, most continue to rely on outputs and indirect measures, with outcomes measurement not yet a mainstream practice. As demand for transparency and accountability in impact investing grows, and failing to address negative outcomes can pose significant risks, this research is critical for identifying opportunities to see further progress in IMM practices to measure and manage for meaningful outcomes on end beneficiaries.

This working paper discusses four key enablers – clarifying use cases, overcoming methodological constraints, creating the conditions to integrate outcomes data into decision-making, and enhancing transparency – that are necessary to align stakeholders and driver wider adoption.