Digital Financial Services Handbook: A Handbook for USAID

This Digital Financial Services for Development Handbook was developed by USAID and FHI360. It is designed for use by USAID personnel to maximize the Agency’s use of and contribution to the growth of digital financial services in emerging markets around the world.

As an Agency, USAID brings significant comparative advantages to the collective effort required to build out financial services and market infrastructure that serve the poor and create pathways out of poverty.  The Handbook is for use across USAID, though the content is often framed with a Mission perspective in mind. The Handbook explores practical ways in which USAID personnel can advance digital financial services in support of USAID’s mission: partnering to end extreme poverty and to promote resilient, democratic societies.

The Handbook is intended to be used in concert with other resources being developed by USAID to equip its staff to harness the power of information and communication technology for development (ICT4D). The Handbook is a living document that USAID intends to provide a platform for USAID to build a community of practice, and foster feedback loops that will ultimately make USAID dramatically more capable of engaging in digital development.