Visa Path to Access

Digital inclusion is more than just the ability to access technology—it also presents the valuable opportunity to participate fully in society. However, not everyone has equal access to the digital economy, an access gap that is preventing individuals, businesses, and entire economies from availing of the multiple benefits of the digital transition. 

‘Bridging The Digital Divide: Paths to Financial Inclusion Through The Digital Economy’ brings together a panel of regional and global experts to assess and analyze the prevalent barriers and the inherent opportunities related to unlocking digital access. In doing so, the panel brings a host of valuable insights to light on how to create an enabling environment for digital enterprises, current consumer and SME digitisation trends, and the best-practice policies and regulatory frameworks to propel financial inclusion, amongst others. The speakers also highlight key public and private sector collaboration and incentives that have been effective in paving a more equitable path to prosperity.

Discover why the digital economy matters, and how it can unlock access for everyone, everywhere. 

Digital inclusion is more than merely the ability to access technology, it also presents a valuable opportunity for individuals to participate fully. While many now have access to the internet, various barriers that prevent full participation in the digital economy still need to be addressed. 

Join industry experts Andrew Torre, Regional President, CEMEA at Visa, and Aamir Kureshi, Head Consumer, Agriculture & SME Banking at Habib Bank Ltd, as they discuss how we can overcome the digital divide, alongside strategies by which organizations and stakeholders can collaborate to uplift economies, businesses and individuals, everywhere.

The creator economy is increasingly taking centre stage. An estimated 50 million people worldwide are now earning primary income as content creators, a number that has more than doubled since 2019¹.

Technology has changed the game for amateur storytellers, who can now access a number of ways by which to create content and leverage social media platforms in order to gain maximum exposure. And, for the first time, technological advances are enabling creators to access empowering tools that can help them to shift to more lucrative and sustainable business models. 

We assess the opportunity for creators of all kinds – from videographers and vloggers, podcasters and photographers, to writers, artists, and course creators - to build their own authentic communities while maximising usage of the numerous tools available to them in today’s increasingly open digital world. 

We also explore the role financial education has to play in the continued growth and development of  the creator economy, and address some critical topics, including: how access to financial education can help creators to move from a reliance on sponsorship and revenue-sharing to unlock the full scope of the monetization opportunity; how social media can be leveraged to disseminate essential financial information to the creator cohort; and what the benefits for creators when accessing expert-led financial education workshops and masterclasses.

Finally, we learn about how Visa is unlocking access for creators to enable them to avail of the full scope of opportunity. And, most important of all, explore how creators are contributing to the digital economy.

As CEMEA transitions to the digital future, fintech and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have an increasingly important role to play in facilitating the process;  in particular, they have the potential to unlock access to the payment ecosystem and make it a more equitable space. With more than 1.6 billion accounts globally in 2022, the advent of mobile money services has paved the way to financial inclusion for many. 

But what needs to be put into place to ensure that the opportunity can be realized in full? 

As MNOs expand their services from traditional payments and transactions to encompass a wider range of critical resources and tools, what will be the role of fintech in expanding access to the underserved and unbanked members of the community – in ways that are tailored to the specific needs of this segment? 

We assess the stepping stones that need to be navigated now across CEMEA to accelerate progress, whilst analyzing the opportunities that fintech can tap into. Taking the unique needs and stages of digital development of each nation into account, what are the barriers that need to be addressed to ensure that everyone benefits, everywhere? We also look at how Visa intends to harness the network effect to help pave the road ahead for players across the mobile money ecosystem and, by doing so, ensure an equitable future for all.

Payfacs have come a long way since the first-gen variant first came on the scene in the late 1990s. Initially devised as a way to help businesses easily accept online payments, the new and improved model goes beyond catering to the needs of larger businesses to offer comprehensive, end-to-end digital payment solutions and services that benefit an array of enterprises and industries of all shapes and sizes. The common benefit? Today’s payfacs solutions reduce the complexity of setting up online payments, thus freeing businesses up to focus their finite resources on their core competencies.

With around 250 unique payfacs operating in CEMEA, which show a significant slant towards digital channels, there is a tremendous growth opportunity – and it represents low-hanging fruit. By removing roadblocks to success and facilitating the digital payments process, payfacs have so far succeeded in unlocking access to the payment ecosystem for a range of consumers, including small and micro-merchants, start-ups and entrepreneurs.  

How can Visa harness the power of its vast network, bolstered by its advanced integrated digital tools and global payments expertise, to accelerate the adoption and acceptance of payfacs at scale – and, by doing so, help them meet their goals? At the same time, what are the greenfield opportunities that exist in CEMEA today that could represent a rich seam of future innovation if properly tapped? We assess the steps that Visa is taking to create and develop these opportunities to unlock access to a comprehensive range of products and solutions for more people than ever before. We also explore how this is a critical step on the path to facilitate a future where everyone is empowered to participate in the digital economy, wherever they are in the region.

In a world that’s rapidly advancing towards a digital-first future, it’s a sobering reality that 1.7 billion adults worldwide remain financially excluded. This episode of Visa’s podcast takes a strategic view on ‘why’ ‘what’ and ‘how’ we can narrow the divide and ensure that essential financial services are accessible to everyone, including those who have long been left on the fringes – the unbanked and underbanked.

Starting with the ‘why’ - we delve into the personal and organizational significance of access. We explore the access imperative – why is it a critical component that defines empowerment and equitable participation in the global economy. Our speakers share their insights, providing a unique perspective on ‘what’ access means to them and their organizations. We will also aim to uncover the ‘how’ and discuss the strategic imperative of access. We unpack the strategies steering us towards a more inclusive future, delving into real-world examples that showcase the power of collaboration and innovation.  

In our concluding moments, we share compelling insights that spark a call to action. It’s not just about understanding the issues, it’s about inspiring change - we reflect on the potential of united endeavors and cutting-edge solutions to redefine financial inclusion.