Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

Women-led small businesses are key drivers of economic growth, yet they continue to face barriers in accessing finance, digital tools, and skills. At Mastercard Strive, we’re working with partners around the world to break down these barriers—supporting them to go digital, get capital, and access networks and know-how. From AI-powered chat ordering in the Philippines to extended payment terms in Mexico and digital upskilling in the Dominican Republic, our initiatives are equipping women micro-entrepreneurs with the resources they need to thrive. Learn more about our impact and key lessons in supporting women-led small businesses: https://lnkd.in/dzFD_gBt #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction #WomenInBusiness #FinancialHealth #Digitalization Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, INCAE Business School, CARE, Nilus, &frnds, Boost Capital

Women entrepreneurs are driving change—but financial resilience is key! ???Short-term stability? Only 16% of women would use business specific savings in a crisis, with most others relying on personal savings or borrowing. ???Digital tools? Only half of respondents use digital tools for their business. ???Debt stress? Over 70% worry about loan repayment. CARE’s Strive Women program, supported by Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, is equipping women with the financial tools they need to thrive. Stronger businesses mean stronger futures. ?? See how we can build long-term resilience together. ?? Explore the report now: https://ow.ly/OvM050VhxTp #WomensHistoryMonth #FinancialResilience #StriveWomen

This #IWD2025, we’re accelerating action for women-led small businesses. In Mexico and Argentina, 35% and 39% of the population, respectively, live below the poverty line. Micro-retailers and small convenience stores—especially those led by women—face high costs due to poor infrastructure, unsafe conditions, and limited access to financing working capital. Through our partnership with Nilus, we’re unlocking credit for women-led micro-retailers in both countries, supporting them to source goods with extended payment terms and provide affordable, healthy food to low-income families. Because when women thrive, communities do too. Watch the video to see how we’re making it happen. #AccelerateAction #WomenEntrepreneurs #WomenInBusiness #FinancialInclusion Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Natasha Jamal, Luz Gomez, Ady Beitler.

Digital wages are changing women workers' lives, this International Women’s Day and beyond For millions of workers in the garment industry, including women, receiving their wages digitally instead of in cash is a gateway to financial security and independence. In Cambodia, the impact is undeniable. After receiving tailored financial training from RISE, 96% of garment workers prefer digital payments over cash (up from 62%). Why? Because digital wages are safer, more convenient, and make it easier for workers to manage their money. Training is key Women who gain financial knowledge are empowered to make decisions about their wages and participate in discussions around the use of household income. They are also better equipped to handle emergencies and plan for the future. The results in #Cambodia speak for themselves: ? 84% of women and 75% of men in the RISE Financial Health program now save regularly - up from just 46% and 36% respectively before the program. They are saving for expected expenses, emergencies, and even long-term goals like buying a house or land. ??80% of women and 81% of men feel confident managing a financial emergency in the next two years, compared to only 55% before. Encouraged by their success, women are also sharing their knowledge and financial habits with family, friends, and neighbors. This ripple effect helps strengthen entire communities. Since 2018, RISE and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth have partnered to scale wage digitalization and improve workers’ financial health in the garment, footwear, and home textiles industries. A far cry from when RISE started this work in 2012, paying wages digitally has become the business norm. Today, over half a million garment workers, most of whom are women, receive their wages digitally in Cambodia. But the work doesn’t stop there - buyers, suppliers, and financial service providers?all have a role to play in multiplying these results. ???Find out how you can be part of the change: https://lnkd.in/dUjPHCnU #WhenWomenRISE, everyone thrives. ? #IWD #InternationalWomensDay #FinancialInclusion #AccelerateAction #WageDigitalization

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Angel Gregorio didn’t just open a spice shop — she built a destination. ? This #BlackHistoryMonth, FOX 5 DC Good Day DC is shining a well-deserved spotlight on?Angel Gregorio, founder of The Spice Suite and a Mastercard Strive USA grantee. What started as a leap of faith — leaving her job as an assistant principal to become a ‘Spice Girl’ — has grown into a thriving business, a hub for Black entrepreneurs, and a model for reinvesting in community.? ? See how Angel is building community, creating opportunities, and proving what’s possible when vision meets action: https://bit.ly/4hTPINA

Ethiopia’s nearly two million micro and small enterprises are the backbone of its economy, yet only a fraction of them have access to formal credit. As part of our long-term partnership with Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Accion is proud to partner with Dashen Bank to launch an innovation hub and expand digital financial solutions for MSMEs in Ethiopia. By leveraging technology and embedded finance, the partnership aims to help close the financing gap — estimated to be $4.2 billion — for small businesses, particularly those led by women, and catalyze economic opportunities for their growth. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gWBANVfX #DigitalTransformation #FinancialInclusion

???We're Hiring! Vice President of Social Impact for the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth! We're seeking a visionary leader to drive inclusive growth across Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa for the Center. As VP of Social Impact, you'll: ? ???Forge partnerships with governments, NGOs & global institutions? ???Lead and oversee?transformative programs like Mastercard Strive in?Central Asia?? ?? Collaborate to execute global programs with partners like CARE and Accion ?? Elevate and replicate innovative inclusion initiatives in new markets ?? Accelerate social impact across EEMEA region? ?? Work across markets to catalyze action, drive research and promote thought leadership Join us in making financial inclusion, health and economic opportunity?accessible to all. If you're passionate about combining business innovation with social impact, we want to hear from you! Apply here: https://lnkd.in/egaNRWxR #SocialImpact #FinancialInclusion #FinancialHealth #InclusiveGrowth

Understanding the impact of #FinancialInclusion is key to driving meaningful progress. To help decision-makers navigate evolving financial inclusion evidence, CGAP has developed the #ImpactPathfinder — an interactive platform that distills a vast body of evidence into clear, actionable insights. By synthesizing research, the Impact Pathfinder empowers key stakeholders to make informed decisions. The Impact Pathfinder helps: ? Donors strengthen financial inclusion interventions and fund research to close evidence gaps.?? ? Impact investors & DFIs guide investment decisions that drive lasting positive outcomes and support resilient livelihoods.?? ? Sector support organizations (SSOs) enhance research, advocacy, and technical assistance to build a more evidence-driven financial inclusion sector.? ? Financial service providers (FSPs) improve product design and service delivery guided by evidence.? ? Researchers identify knowledge gaps, refine research questions, and shape the next generation of financial inclusion studies.??? ? Learn more in this blog by CGAP’s Sophie Sirtaine & Dalberg's Gaurav Gupta: https://cgap.pub/4hqzfR0?

We're joined by Shamina Singh, Founder and President of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, on The Do One Better Knowledge Hub and Podcast to discuss economic inclusion, the entrepreneurial spirit and the digital divide. Listen now at https://lnkd.in/eU2aYg23 #entrepreneurs #socialentrepreneurship #financialinclusion Mastercard Mastercard Foundation DataDotOrg Danil Mikhailov Jessica Jeng Kristin Williams #digitaldivide #data #ai