SADC Innovation and Investment Challenge

This report focuses on how FinMark Trust support in innovation that drives impact and enables marginalised communities to work towards sustainable livelihoods through financial inclusion.

Remittances Market Assessment 2021 - Pocket guide

This pocket guide highlights key findings from the market assessment of remittance flows into and out of South Africa using SARB data and a mystery shopping exercise looking at the costs of remitting via various channels, from South Africa.

Remittances Market Assessment 2021

FinMark Trust conducted a market assessment of remittance flows into and out of South Africa using SARB data and a mystery shopping exercise looking at the costs of remitting via various channels, from South Africa to other countries in the SADC.

To celebrate this milestone in our own development – and for the development of the financial inclusion landscape over the past 20 years, we will be hosting a series of webinars.

Sharing what the latest prices across various channels are – and discussing some of the most prominent developments in the market with experts from the field.

The Role of Remittances in Deepening Financial Inclusion

South Africa and Eswatini Remittances Corridor Diagnostic, this report is a compilation of research findings to inform the implementation of the IFAD’s Financial Inclusion and Cluster Development (FINCLUDE) programme in Eswatini.

Across the continent there has been a very long debate about the payment of interest on mobile money. What has the experience been like in Zimbabwe?

South Africa to the Rest of SADC Remittance pricing report

In South Africa to the rest of SADC, Remittance Pricing report, presented are the findings from a mystery shopping exercise

SADC Remittance Values and Volumes 2020 report

Informal remittance markets in many countries are well established but often expose the remitter to delays and the risk of theft and other losses. 

South Africa to Rest of SADC Remittances 2020 Pocket Guide

Read more on the research findings on cross border remittances from South Africa to the rest of SADC 2020.

Applying the Risk Based Approach in South Africa Report

Applying the Risk-Based Approach – Undertaking AML/CTF Risk Assessment of low-value remittance and banking products and services in South Africa

Below is an extract of our conversation, offering unique insight into a product impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of migrants across South Africa:

While financial inclusion has risen to 68% globally, Sub Saharan Africa continues to lag with only 32% of its citizens having an account at a financial institution.

Understanding the remittances from Botswana to Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwean economy has been under severe pressure for many years now

In mid-July, FinMark Trust and Bankable Frontiers Associate (BFA) set off to Malawi to conduct a feasibility study of the potential of a digital financial identity

The current economic situation in South Africa presents a large number of people relying on the informal economy,

Watch our video where we speak to four of our beneficiaries to hear how our work in KYC, remittances and the risk-based approach are actually making a difference

SADC Mobile Money Guidelines

The aim of the project is to develop Mobile Money guidelines to assist SADC Member States with principles to facilitate the harmonisation

Understanding Global Remittances Corridors in the DRC (French)

The DRC has a long standing history of migrant flows, and historically flows to and from Europe have been of particular importance.

Understanding Global Remittances Corridors in the DRC (English)

The DRC has a long standing history of migrant flows, and historically flows to and from Europe have been of particular importance.

The current global remittance market is estimated to be in the region of USD 500 billion annually and is expected to grow in future.

SADC migrants in South Africa remit approximately R16.6 billion home annually.

Access to formal remittance services is difficult for many migrants because of the onerous documentation requirements.

Research Report on Mobile Money in South Africa

The research report study focused on the factors that drove the termination of mobile money services in South Africa.

Cross-Border Remittance Pricing

This report was commissioned by FinMark Trust and carried out through Genesis to assess the cost of cross-border remittances in South Africa.

The Impact of Remittances in Lesotho, Malawi and Zimbabwe

Households in sub-Saharan Africa have a long tradition of cross-border migration and associated remittances.

Remittance markets comprise both a commercial opportunity for financial sector operators, and an important means of supporting impoverished communities.

Cross-Border Remittances 2016

This report provides an update on the available money transfer offerings that facilitate remittance flows from South Africa to other countries in SADC.

The role of mobile money in financial inclusion in the SADC region

This paper presents a cross-country comparison of mobile money ownership and its determinants together with the factors affecting mobile money adoption.

FICA Act: Pre-implementation Study in South Africa

See the Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment (FICA) Act: Pre-implementation Study in South Africa report.

Remittances from South Africa to SADC

It is well known that there are large remittance flows from South Africa to other countries in the SADC region and that a substantial proportion of such flows are informal

SADC remittances flow report

The focus of this study was to gain insight into remittance behaviour and patterns of the SADC migrant population

The South Africa-SADC remittance channel

See the South Africa-SADC remittance channel report here.

SADC Remittance Channel Estimates 2012 Report

FinMark Trust commissioned a research report that provided, amongst other findings, an initial estimate of the size of the SADC remittance market.

Understanding the last mile in cross-border money transfers

Understanding the last mile in cross-border money transfers from South Africa to Zambia.

The cross border money transfer experience

This focus note highlights our experience as 'mystery shoppers'; presents pricing data collected from banks, the Post Office and SWIFT.

Microinsurance focus note - Zambia

Understanding the last mile in cross-border money transfers from South Africa to Zambia

Facilitating Southern African remittance networks

The intra-SADC remittance market is estimated to comprise at least R6.2bn in annual cross-border flows (or approximately US$1bn).

This webinar covers strategies to improve digital payments in Tembisa and Hammanskraal, highlighting the challenges these communities face and detailing the planned interventions to overcome them.

Papel das Mulheres nas Remessas Transfronteiriças

Este guia resume as conclusões do estudo de diagnóstico para apoiar o desenvolvimento de programas específicos de género para a inclusão financeira das mulheres nestes corredores.

Summary guide: Women’s Roles in Cross-Border Remittances

Cross-border remittances fuel livelihoods in the SADC region. This guide summarises key findings from the diagnostic study to support the development of gender-specific programmes for women’s financial inclusion in these corridors.

Summary report: Women Cross-border Traders (Lesotho Corridor)

This report delves into the experiences of women in the South Africa to Lesotho corridor. It addresses crucial data gaps, aiding in targeted support for digital payments in Southern Africa.

Summary report: Women Cross-border Traders (Mozambique Corridor)

This report delves into the experiences of women in the South Africa to Mozambique corridor. It addresses crucial data gaps, aiding in targeted support for digital payments in Southern Africa.

In the beginning, there was the bank account – a useful dispenser of transactional services. More recently, however, the financial services industry innovated and introduced mobile money as a disruptive financial service.

The South African informal sector is a vibrant thread, pulsating with entrepreneurial energy. Valued at almost $10 billion annually and representing 17% of the country’s total employment.

Explore the impact of cross-border remittances from South Africa to Zimbabwe. The IOM commissioned this in-depth study to examine the role of cross-border remittances in households in Zimbabwe.

Formal financial and economic inclusion remains pivotal in addressing the rampant inequality in many African economies today.

The modern world has moved towards digitisation, yet a significant gap remains in terms of financial and economic inclusion, particularly in Africa. Despite this, there is a substantial opportunity to harness the power of data to bridge this gap.

Families' access to financial resources is crucial for building thriving communities and fostering economic growth. Remittances, as a vital source of income, provide millions of people with the means to meet their basic needs.

How can we support those working in the informal sector?