Contesting digital finance for the poor

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to critically assess digital finance as a pro-poor intervention in the development finance space.Design/methodology/approachUsing critical policy discourse analysis, this paper explains the turn from microfinance to digital finance, and thereafter discusses four issues: the lack of evidence that digital finance for poor people actually promotes socioeconomic development; the risks that poor people are exposed to, which arises from their exposure to digital finance technology; the lack of evidence that digital finance actually brings poor people immediate benefits; and the weak business rationale for digital finance.FindingsThe expectation for digital finance serving as a major pro-poor private sector intervention lacks justification.Originality/valueThe paper reflects on the effect of digital finance for poor people.