Business Desk :
In celebration of the International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) on June 16, the G20’s Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) unveiled a new report on Friday that provides evidence of the transformative impact of digital remittances, as a driver of financial inclusion and poverty reduction worldwide.
Despite persistent gender gaps, the hard-earned money sent back home by migrant workers remains a vital lifeline for over 800 million people, particularly for women and vulnerable populations.
Authored by the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with contributions from the World Bank, the GPFI report “Promoting Financial Inclusion through Digitalisation of Remittances,” showcases significant strides in digitalising remittance distribution, reports UNB.
“Digitalisation reduces transfer costs, speeds up transactions, and enhances security and tracking of payments. It also broadens access to financial services like savings, credit, and insurance, especially when accompanied by proper consumer protection and financial education policies. These benefits promote financial inclusion and build financial resilience for remittance families,” says Magda Bianco, co-chair of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) and head of the Consumer Protection and Anti-Money Laundering Directorate at the Bank of Italy.
“The digitalisation of remittances is spearheading change, especially in rural and underserved areas. It is connecting millions of unbanked people to basic financial services that make a real difference in improving their lives,” said Pedro de Vasconcelos, Manager of IFAD’s Financing Facility for Remittances.
Beyond addressing immediate needs such as food security, health assistance, education, housing, and sanitation, one-quarter of remittance flows are saved, invested, or used to start businesses. Around $75 billion annually goes towards rural development.
Gender empowerment through digital remittances
The G20 report emphasizes how digital remittances provide women with greater control and privacy over their funds. “Digital remittances allow women to access funds directly and securely, empowering them to make financial decisions that benefit their families and communities. Women are more likely to allocate these funds towards household consumption, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation,” said de Vasconcelos.
Since 2017, the gender gap in accessing digital remittance and financial services has narrowed, with the gap in account ownership falling from 9 to 6 percentage points.
Despite progress, challenges remain in ensuring that the benefits of digital remittances reach all societal segments. Vulnerable groups, including women, the elderly, and rural communities, often face barriers to accessing digital financial services. The report calls for concerted efforts to address these disparities and enhance financial literacy and trust in digital solutions.