Selected Issues Papers

Financial Inclusion in Niger: Challenges and Opportunities: Niger

Author/Editor:

Yoro Diallo ; Arsene Kaho ; Can Sever

Publication Date:

February 27, 2023

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Summary:

Financial inclusion can increase economic growth and productivity and reduce poverty and inequality by helping people and firms—particularly SMEs—to save and invest, smooth consumption, and better manage financial risks. This paper highlights Niger’s lag compared to other WAEMU countries in terms of access to and use of formal financial services, including for women and youth, and underscores key demand and supply side challenges to financial inclusion as well as structural impediments. It lays out key priorities for Niger to harness the potential of greater financial inclusion to support the country’s development agenda, including efforts to tackle low financial literacy, promote digitization, and address informality.

Series:

Selected Issues Paper No. 2023/007

Subject:

Digital currencies Digital financial services Financial inclusion Financial markets Financial services International organization Monetary policy Population and demographics Technology

Frequency:

Regular