MicroLead is a UNCDF-managed global initiative challenging regulated FSPs to develop and roll-out deposit services which respond to the rural vacuum of services. With the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The MasterCard Foundation and the LIFT Fund in Myanmar.

MicroLead works with a variety of FSPs and technical service providers to reach rural markets, particularly women, with demand-driven, responsibly priced products offered via alternative delivery channels such as rural agents, mobile phones, roving agents, point of sales devices and group linkages. This is combined with financial education, so customers not only have access but can effectively use quality services.

"The program started with a very laser-focused perspective, trying to test some innovations in certain organizations. We've seen that a lot of organizations now have been implementing those lessons and innovations, things like alternative delivery channels and digital finance..."

Hermann Messan, MicroLead

The programme wraps up at the end of 2017, and is now focused on disseminating the lessons learned through workshops, digital finance toolkits and partner case studies.

Follow our journey in the video below.