History Spotlight 18 - Flashback - Future of Financial Inclusion

In 2024, the Corporate History team launched “Our History, Our Legacy,” a three-year campaign to connect all employees globally to the Foundation’s history, milestones, and ways of working. One of the tactics within this promotional campaign included the release of "History Spotlights", which highlight the Foundation's past work, and emphasize its unique approach to philanthropy through trust-based partnerships, collaborative learning, and empowerment of youth in driving sustainable impact.

This eighteenth History Spotlight was posted to the Foundation's internal communication channels on April 21, 2025 and included the following contextual information:

Imagine a world where banking is at your fingertips - no matter where you live. By 2018, Africa had more digital financial service users than any other region in the world. Mobile money and agent banking were transforming lives, helping smallholder farmers invest in their futures, entrepreneurs grow their businesses, and families lift themselves out of poverty. But with rapid growth came important questions: How do we expand access even further? What challenges remain? How can financial services be a true catalyst for equitable development? Digital Access: The Future of Financial Inclusion in Africa answered these questions. This report, published by the Foundation in 2018, recognized financial inclusion as a catalyst for equitable development and inclusive economic growth.