COVID-19 and refugees economic opportunities, financial services and digital inclusion

This research report based on findings in refugee contexts in Jordan, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia finds that digital services such as mobile money can in theory be more accessible for refugees than standard bank accounts, in practice refugees continue to face barriers. These services are often new and underdeveloped and therefore untested, or refugees are only permitted a restricted form of access. Even though digital services are likely to become more important given the new normal and continued need for socially distanced services, this transition is only starting, and refugees need to be included in mainstream and fully developed financial services.

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This research report based on findings in refugee contexts in Jordan, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia finds that digital services such as mobile money can in theory be more accessible for refugees than standard bank accounts, in practice refugees continue to face barriers. These services are often new and underdeveloped and therefore untested, or refugees are only permitted a restricted form of access. Even though digital services are likely to become more important given the new normal and continued need for socially distanced services, this transition is only starting, and refugees need to be included in mainstream and fully developed financial services.

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