Today, we’re releasing the first publication in a series of deeper insights into selected topics based on the findings of MMU’s 2013 State of the Industry Report on Mobile Financial Services. This publication, ‘Reaching half of the market: Women and mobile money’ – addresses barriers that prevent women from accessing and using mobile money, and highlights some of the key tactics that mobile money providers can use to increase penetration amongst women.

With 246 services in 88 countries, mobile money has contributed to increase access to financial services to millions of previously unbanked and underbanked people around the world.[1] However, research shows that the industry might be overlooking a potential area of expansion – women, who constitute up to 50% of the potential customer base in every market.