What Kenya can teach its neighbors — and the US — about improving the lives of the “unbanked”

A dollar sign forms one of the columns of a stately building

From Kelsey Piper / Vox: Mobile banking in Kenya has increased economic mobility for families living in poverty. The mobile money system is not connected to bank accounts, making it accessible to the overwhelming majority of Kenyans who don’t have bank accounts but do have cell phones. Mobile banking allows deposits and withdrawals as well as transfers, and has allowed families to save money to use when their income, often from farming, takes a hit thus creating a security net for themselves and allowing them to receive funds from friends and family. Savings allow families to meet basic needs and access medical care if necessary.

Read the original story here.

Read more articles about increased economic mobility.

More Resources:

Kay Watson is a researcher, producer, and curator working with art and advanced technologies, photography, and video games. She is currently Head of Arts Technologies at Serpentine where she leads the art and technology programme. She is a Trustee of...

From Abby Vesoulis, Abigail Abrams / TIME: A guaranteed income program is giving people the financial security to invest in themselves, avoid predatory loans, pay off debt, and improve their general quality of life. The lack of conditions on how...

Luke Shankland is a South African/Canadian professional with over 20 years of experience in health tech, focusing on scaling impactful health solutions across Africa. As co-founder and COO of Aviro Health, he has led initiatives that have provided digital health...

Ai-jen Poo is the President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Director of Caring Across Generations. A nationally recognized expert on elder care, family care, the future of work, gender equality, immigration, and grassroots organizing, she is also the...

Rosalinda Natividad is the Founder and CEO of Incite Network, which empowers change-makers along the U.S.-Mexico border by securing grant funding and supporting strategic planning for equitable community impact. She leads efforts to amplify the work of underfunded organizations, driving...

From Jennifer Solis / The Nevada Current: A new law in Nevada prohibits the state system of higher education from charging tuition to Native American students who are members of tribes in Nevada. Read the original story here. Read more...

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. By continuing to browse, you agree to our use of cookies. For more details, please see our Privacy Policy.