(2014) Electronic G2P Payments: Evidence from Four Lower-Income Countries
Summary — This CGAP Focus Note examines the experiences of implementing electronic government-to-person (G2P) payments linked to financial inclusion in four lower-income countries: Haiti, Kenya, the Philippines, and Uganda. It offers key findings and lessons for cash transfer program managers and payment service providers when planning for electronic G2P payments.
Key Findings
- Country-level readiness for mobile solutions was overestimated.
- Technical capacities to shift from cash to e-payments were underestimated.
- Internal and external pressure on design and implementation was inevitable.
- Agents affected the experience of recipients and their control of PINs carried risks.
- Recipient capability was greatly affected by program and payment method training.
Full Description
This Focus Note presents evidence from a study of e-payment schemes linked to financial inclusion in Haiti, Kenya, the Philippines, and Uganda. The research aimed to uncover the development and evolution of the programs, the current delivery and payment processes, the costs and benefits of using e-payments, and the experiences of e-payment recipients and staff. Through a comparative analysis, the report offers key findings and lessons for cash transfer program managers and PSPs when planning for electronic government-to-person (G2P) payments, particularly in lower-income countries.