About the report

Digital technology provides an opportunity to reach approximately 1.7 billion adults.  worldwide who remain unbanked. Digital financial services (DFS) can make a valuable  contribution to the economic growth of a country. Digital financial inclusion (DFI) is key to the  attainment of most (80 percent) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Notably, DFI is  pivotal for the achievement of SDG 5, on the economic empowerment of women and gender  equality, as it promises to extend financial access to 35 percent of women globally—nearly  980 million people remain excluded from the formal financial system. Digital financial services  have also provided a viable strategy in the context of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).  pandemic, given the challenges created by the pandemic and the associated risks that threaten  to expand existing digital and gender gaps.