Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Financial Services initiative

Slide A

Rigorous Research

We embark on rigorous research incursions to generate relevant insights on ecosystem trends, bottlenecks and other relevant dynamics impacting financial inclusion in Nigeria

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Building ecosystem
capacity

We equip ecosystem stakeholders with practical skills,
knowledge and cutting edge toolkits they need to deliver
financial services sustainably, particularly to the financially excluded and underserved.

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Policy monitoring
and evaluation

We monitor the financial service policy landscape
evaluating the impact of regulation on financial
inclusion progress. We also advocate for policy reform and make actionable recommendations based on research and ecosystem consultation.

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Research. Equip. Engage. Inform

Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Financial Services (SIDFS) is a university-based research and advocacy initiative with the goal of creating an inclusive ecosystem for financial services. Through focused research as well as active engagement with all stakeholders in the industry, we further the case for financial inclusion.

Founded in 2015 at Lagos Business School,

SIDFS is the first research center for digital financial services, financial literacy and financial inclusion established at a Nigerian management school. Our modus operandi combines a pragmatic approach to responsible market development with an evidence-based advocacy platform to inform policy and influence key decision makers in the industry.

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Research

We contribute to the evidence base for financial inclusion via studies of diverse problematic areas across the supply-side, demand-side and policy dimensions. Our research provides financial service ecosystem actors with practical knowledge supporting solutions to supply-side and demand-side constraints limiting financial inclusion.

Equip

We are committed to building capacity among stakeholders, providing them with practical skills, knowledge and cutting edge toolkits they need to serve excluded populations sustainably. Our capacity building projects are varied and cater to both regulators and financial service providers.

Engage

We convene and facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions between financial service providers, regulators and policymakers to enhance ecosystem coordination and FSPs’ ability to leverage existing policy levers. As ecosystem thought leaders, we strive to guide these knowledge sharing sessions and conversations along thematic areas to ensure insights and conclusions are rooted and supported by evidence from research.

Inform

Through the media, our industry newsletter, strategic live events and conferences, as well as our annual state of market report, we endeavour to keep the ecosystem updated on the most relevant financial inclusion news, trends and insights which will help them serve the financially excluded and underserved.

Funding Partners | Bill & Melissa Gates

Bill and Melinda Gates are the funding partner of sustainable
and Inclusive Digital Financial Services.

Project Deliverables

Our modus operandi combines a pragmatic approach to responsible market development with an evidence-based advocacy platform to inform policy and influence key decision makers in the industry.

Sustainable Business Models For Financial Inclusion

2016-2019

To address regulatory gaps and market structures inhibiting financial inclusion of Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid. This was achieved by enhancing the evidence-base for digital financial services (DFS) in Nigeria and impacting market-enabling policy for DFS.

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Nigeria DFS
Observatory

2019-2022

To resource, enable and catalyse financial service providers (FSPs) to develop sustainable business models and compelling value propositions in order to deliver products that improve the financial well-being of Nigerians, particularly the poor, women and rural dwellers.

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Blog

Explore our articles and opinions on important ecosystem developments

DFS Library

Latest news, insights and developments impacting the nation's financial inclusion journey

Graphic Solutions

Research. Equip. Engage. Inform