Table 5

Real-world illustration of the financial inclusion mix

PMJDY financial inclusion initiative in India
IndiaPeopleAll unbanked adults – every Indian adult that do not have a formal account
ProcessBank branch network and extensive agent networks. All PMJDY accounts were opened by visiting a physical bank branch or business correspondent (bank mitra) outlet
ProductOne basic savings bank account; zero-balance PMJDY accounts; interest is earned on the deposit in PMJDY accounts; free Rupay Debit card; accident insurance cover up to Rs. 2 lakhs on new PMJDY accounts; overdraft facility up to Rs. 10,000 to eligible account holders
PolicyImplementation of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) financial inclusion initiative began on the 28th of August 2014 across the country. Implemented by the Reserve Bank of India
ProviderPublic sector banks, private sector banks, regional banks and business correspondent (bank mitra) outlet
PlaceUrban centres and rural locations
PriceBank account opening at no cost
China's rural financial inclusion initiative (1950s – 2014)
ChinaPeoplePoor, low-income unbanked and underserved individuals in China
ProcessAgent-based service points, mobile service outlets and ATMs
ProductBill payment services and rural credit
PolicyThe Chinese Government launched a deliberate policy to establish rural credit cooperatives. In 2007, China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) launched the China Rural Banking Services Distribution Map on its website, emphasizing its policy objective of increasing the physical reach of the financial sector
ProviderThe establishment of rural credit cooperatives, village and township banks, rural mutual credit cooperatives and microcredit companies
PlaceResidential areas at county, town and village levels
PriceLow-cost affordable loans
M-Pesa financial inclusion initiative in kenya
KenyaPeopleAll adults in Kenya
ProcessM-Pesa payment platform; download the M-Pesa mobile app; own a mobile phone; partnership between Safaricom and banks
Producte-payments, cash withdrawal
PolicyThe “test-and-learn” regulatory approach of the Central Bank of Kenya, and the changes in legal and regulatory framework by the Kenyan government and the Central Bank of Kenya
ProviderSafaricom and commercial banks
PlaceAll locations in Kenya
PriceCustomers are charged depending on the amount of the transaction and the transaction type (i.e. making outward payments or withdrawing)
SACCOs financial inclusion initiative in Rwanda
RwandaPeopleUnbanked, unserved and underserved adult Rwandans
ProcessSetting up savings and credit cooperative organizations (SACCOs) in every administrative district
ProductSavings products such as free savings account, permanent savings, fixed deposit account and children's savings account. Loan products such as overdraft loans, emergency loan, salary advance loan, school fees loan and medical loan
PolicyMassive government assistance in establishing a SACCO in every administrative sector, communicating to citizens on the advantages of joining SACCOs, providing capacity building for SACCO workers, contributing to financial education programs, provided subsidies to SACCOsetc
ProviderSavings and Credit Cooperative Organizations in partnership with local banks
PlaceMostly rural and remote locations
PriceFree of charge for a basic savings account
Source(s): PIB (2015), AFI (2014) and Ndung’u (2021) 

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