The Role of Informal Financial Services in Africa

This paper uses data from the Global Financial Inclusion (Global Findex) database to document the state of financial inclusion in Africa. The data show that less than a quarter of adults in Africa have an account at a formal financial institution and many adults in Africa use informal methods to save and borrow. The data also show deep disparities across sub-regions and individual characteristics in how adults use financial services. The database can be used to track financial inclusion policies within the region and to develop a deeper and more nuanced understanding of how Africans save, borrow, make payments and manage risk.