ConsumerCentriX

ConsumerCentriX Annual Newsletter: 2024 Edition This year, we've made great strides toward shaping a more inclusive financial ecosystem for women and young entrepreneurs globally. Our work has centred on engaging with financial institutions, regulators, and development organizations to empower underserved groups, unlocking their potential as vital contributors to global economic growth. 🔗 Read the newsletter now: https://lnkd.in/dTp8fR7m Inside this edition, you will find highlights of: • The Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (WE Finance Code), expanding women's access to finance across 12 countries. • Data-driven tools, like the Women’s Financial Inclusion Dashboards(WFID), are transforming how financial institutions serve the women’s market. • Innovative frameworks, such as our Global WSME Segmentation Toolkit, enabling financial sector stakeholders to design more tailored solutions for women entrepreneurs. • Youth in Business, equipping young entrepreneurs with financial and non-financial tools to thrive. • Lessons from the EIB’s Africa Women Rising Initiative (AWRI), advancing gender finance in Sub-Saharan Africa with measurable impact. Dive into these stories and more as we share how data, collaboration, and innovation shape inclusive ecosystems for women and youth. #ConsumerCentriX #FinancialInclusion #TranslatingInsightsIntoImpact

ConsumerCentriX team had an incredible week in Budapest taking stock of what has been accomplished in 2024 and planning for another year of impact advancing inclusive finance and entrepreneurship across the globe. Wishing you all happy holidays and a great New Year! Anna Gincherman Daniel Arnold Benedikt Wahler Hilary A. Nichols Laura Trueba István Szepesy Vladimir Mitkov Kacheche Musa Dr Zlata Gromova Emna Mraidi Eleonora ZanevErnest N. Wasake Benjamin Grullón Cabral Rania Radouan Oleksandra Prysyazhnenko Valentina Angjelovikj

A festive recollection of the trip to Amman working with an inspiring team at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Ulrich Christian Hess Lorena Zapata Dura Abu sharar on implementing the WE Finance Code (Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) Jordan in close collaboration with Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ). As we met with over 20 institutions from the public and private sectors, we could clearly see a lot of important initiatives aimed at increasing WSMEs’ financial inclusion and economic participation: - Women's Entrepreneurship is a critical priority area in key government policies ◦ Economic modernization vision ◦ Digital Economy ◦ Financial Inclusion National Strategy - There is increased focus on better collection, quality, and usage of sex-disaggregated data in the financial sector and beyond, - Leading banks are increasingly recognizing the (W)MSME segment as a strategic area for growth and are seeking the know-how on how to develop scalable and commercially viable WSME solutions.   We believe that the WE Finance Code can amplify the current efforts in expanding WMSMEs access to capital by:   1. Building a WMSME data platform that would enable the financial industry to assess the current state of WMSME financing and identify untapped market opportunities. 2. Providing capacity building for  FSPs to implement effective WMSME CVPs. 3. Providing peer learning opportunities through global and regional platforms to exchange insights and explore international best practices.   The highlight of the trip was a half-day seminar hosted by CBJ, which convened over 30 financial providers (from leading banks to microfinance institutions), industry associations, and public sector agencies. It was an honor to have a team from the Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) led by incredible Maisa AbuBaker participating and contributing to their experience. Anna Gincherman, Emna Mraidi and David Taylor facilitated a lively conversation on leveraging sex-disaggregated data for advancing WSME solution design and policy making.   Thank you, Lama Samhouri Ola Khalil Sahab Smadi, and your entire team at CBJ, for your support and guidance in implementing this important initiative.

We are thrilled to announce that #ConsumerCentriX is now a proud member of the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP)!   Our membership journey began at European Microfinance Week 2024 in #Luxembourg, where we had the privilege of facilitating a panel discussion on "Young Entrepreneurs as a Priority for Impactful Inclusive Finance." Daniel Arnold and Benedikt Wahler, alongside esteemed panelists Ana Kentera (Alter Modus ), Axel de Ville (ADA asbl), and Peter Bielik, CFA (EBRD), shared experiences from #EBRD's Youth in Business program. This program empowers young entrepreneurs to drive sustainable economic development and financial inclusion. We're excited to continue contributing to meaningful discussions, exchanging ideas, and showcasing insights from our wide-ranging work with the members of the e-MFP. #ConsumerCentriX #FinancialInclusion #MicroFinance #YouthInBusiness

In partnership with EBRD, #ConsumerCentriX is extraordinarily proud to be a part of the team supporting the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) in the implementation of the WE Finance Code. Anna Gincherman, Emna Mraidi and David Taylor spent a week with the CBE team led by inspiring Khaled Bassiouny, meeting with a wide range of stakeholders from key public agencies to leading banks and microfinance organizations and discussing how the We Finance Code can contribute and amplify existing local initiatives to expand women businesses’ financial inclusion. CBE’s Sub Governor for Financial Inclusion and Sustainability, Sherif Lokman, provided critical guidance on building the We Finance Code’s roadmap and key focus areas. Egypt is well positioned to be a global leader in driving access to finance for women enterprises, with key building blocks in place such as a clear, unified #WSME definition, a robust collection of sex-disaggregated data, significant public sector focus on creating an enabling environment and support for the private sector in reaching this important segment. We look forward to working with Khaled Bassiouny, Sally Abdel Kader, Mehrechane Nayel, Mostafa Mounir Maggie Hassanein and their teams, as well as Dina Moussa and Aurica Balmus at EBRD on this critical initiative! #womensfinancialinclusion #womenentrepreneurs ##access2finance

The Landscape Report for Gender-Inclusive (GIF) Mapping Project is out! The study, which was developed by #ConsumerCentriX for the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), mapped the state of women’s financial inclusion across the #AFI network and identified key financial policy and regulatory enablers for advancing women’s financial inclusion. 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d7qMm-SE Anna Gincherman • Hilary A. Nichols • Emna Mraidi • István Szepesy   Did you know? • Globally, 760 million women remain financially excluded despite progress in closing gender gaps. • In markets with advanced digital payment ecosystems, women achieve near-universal financial inclusion, demonstrating the transformative power of technology and inclusive policies. Persistent challenges such as societal norms, insufficient infrastructure, and the lack of sex-disaggregated data continue to hinder access to tailored financial services for women. Findings from the report shed light on the importance of embedding gender considerations into financial policies and programs. Countries that prioritize sex-disaggregated data collection and analysis are better equipped to design financial solutions that address women’s unique needs and unlock untapped economic potential. Fostering digital financial literacy and expanding digital payment systems have proven critical in bridging the gap. The report also emphasizes a shared responsibility among financial policymakers, regulators, and industry players to create inclusive financial ecosystems that empower women.

Young entrepreneurs are driving innovation in digitalization, sustainability, and inclusive business practices. They are a powerful force for creativity and positive change, yet many face significant hurdles in accessing the capital and networks essential for scaling their businesses. In collaboration with the EBRD, the #ConsumerCentriX team, led by partners Daniel Arnold and Benedikt Wahler, along with our consortium partner IPC , brought together key donors and stakeholders for the 2024 Regional Conference of the #EBRD's #YouthInBusiness programme. ProCredit Bank Macedonia • Union Bank • BPB • MI-BOSPO mikrokreditna organizacija • Alter Modus • Banca Intesa Beograd • Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania This game-changing programme offers youth-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (#MSMEs) a comprehensive support package, including access to finance and expert business advisory services. The aim is to lay the groundwork for future growth and ensure that more entrepreneurs can unlock the full potential of the programme. To date, we have facilitated: • €30 million in credit lines to partner banks  • €19.3 million directly empowering youth-led #MSMEs  • Essential financing, skills development, and invaluable networking opportunities #YoungEntrepreneur #Entrepreneurship #SMEs #YouthinBusiness_Regional24

A few highlights from a great week the #ConsumerCentriX team Anna Gincherman, István Szepesy, David Taylor spent in #Nigeria: • Together with Central Bank of Nigeria and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems PLC, we launched the Women’s Financial Inclusion #Dashboard, a data portal that provides granular, up-to-date information on access and usage of financial services in Nigeria leveraging supply-side data from #CBN and #NIBBS, and commenced the work on expanding the portal with the sex-disaggregated #SME. 🔗 Visit the dashboard at www.wfid.ng and expect the data on sole proprietors by the end of November. Temitope Akin-Fadeyi • Sophia Abu • Sochima Obodozie • Following the launch of the WE Finance Code, we co-led the workshop with Central Bank of Nigeria and The World Bank to onboard 30+ signatories of the Code, including 12 leading banks, focusing on their responsibilities as well as benefits of joining the Code, including capacity building and peer learning programs presented by Financial Alliance for Women. • Contributed to the great conversation during the #IFIC2024 conference by sharing our experience in leveraging data for building effective #SME solutions at the conference session on “Powering Nigeria’s Inclusive Growth through #MSMEs.” • More importantly, we were able to reconnect with many great colleagues and friends who were early pioneers of digital financial inclusion in Nigeria and continue to drive innovation that impacts millions of Nigerians at Access Bank Plc, SANEF Limited, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems PLC, MoMo Payment Service Bank, EFInA, and Sparkle Nigeria. Rob Giles • Uzoma Dozie • usoro usoro • Uche Uzoebo CPM, LPI-TPMA, HCIB 1st • Chinasa Collins-Ogbuo • Premier Oiwoh

#ConsumerCentriX is thrilled to have led discussions on the “Young Entrepreneurs as a Priority for Impactful Inclusive Finance” session in this year’s European Microfinance Week in Neumünster Abbey, #Luxembourg. Our team, Benedikt Wahler and Daniel Arnold, shared experiences from the EBRD’s Youth in Business Programme.   It’s exciting to see that EBRD and partner financial institutions are starting to share experiences and inspire others about the potential for large-scale impact and strategic upside of young entrepreneurs and business leaders. e-MFP • ADA asbl EBRD • Alter Modus • ProCredit Holding • IPC • Axel de Ville • Peter Bielek • Ana Kentera • Central European Initiative - CEI • Sida • European Union • Ministry of Finance, Luxembourg #EMW2024 #YouthinBusiness #FinancalInclusion

ConsumerCentriX is proud to partner with Central Bank of Nigeria and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems PLC for the launch of the Women's Financial Inclusion Dashboard, a data platform providing most granular information on the state of access and usage of financial services, particularly for women, in #Nigeria. Anna Gincherman • István Szepesy • David Taylor • Temitope Akin-Fadeyi • Sophia Abu • Financial Alliance for Women The development process took over a year and required close collaboration between the three institutions. It was an honor to unveil it at the Second International Financial Inclusion Conference (#IFIC2024) in #Lagos with over 2,000 delegates in attendance. 🔗 Please visit the site at www.wfid.ng. #ConsumerCentriX #WomensFinancialInclusion #IFIC24 #FinancialInclusion