The evolution of agent networks in Africa

Categories : Customer and Users of Digital Payments, Financial inclusion

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Author: Cenfri

Agent networks are seen as being key for facilitating cash-in and cash-out (CICO), particularly in rural areas, yet are difficult to establish and expensive to maintain. This case study in Kenya conducted by Cenfri, looks at how agent networks evolve using geospacial data. This study explores three core questions and gives some short to long-term recommendations:

  1. What growth strategies have agent networks deployed over time?
  2. How far have agent networks managed to increase the geographic reach of formal financial services?
  3. To what extent has the expansion of agents improved access to financial services for consumers?