Background 

In recent years, the issue of financial inclusion for forcibly displaced persons (FDPs) has gained prominence due to the increasing number of people displaced by conflict, climate change, and other crises. Financial inclusion is a critical enabler of resilience, self-reliance, and economic integration for FDPs, particularly in fragile and crisis-affected contexts where access to formal financial services is often restricted. 

While the humanitarian sector continues to address immediate needs, prolonged displacement situations, where over 66% of refugees have been displaced for five years or more, require durable, long-term solutions. Access to tailored financial services can help displaced individuals and their host communities rebuild livelihoods, strengthen coping mechanisms, and promote autonomy. 

However, multiple barriers persist, including restrictive legal frameworks, the absence of adequate identification, lack of access to employment, and risk-averse financial institutions. These systemic issues hinder financial inclusion and limit the ability of FDPs to contribute to and benefit from local economies. 

Triangle Assignment 

AFD commissioned Triangle to conduct a global study on financial inclusion for FDPs, with the aim of generating actionable insights and strategic direction for future interventions in fragile settings. The study: 

• Maps key stakeholders, ongoing interventions, and global best practices; 

• Analyzes the role of financial inclusion in fostering economic development, institutional strengthening, and social cohesion; 

• Identifies regulatory and operational barriers that hinder access to financial services; 

• Develops a practical and user-friendly prospection tool for AFD staff to design and implement financial inclusion projects effectively. 

Using a qualitative methodology that includes desk reviews, key informant interviews (KIIs), and stakeholder mapping, Triangle will validate the prospection tool through two in-depth case studies. These cases will illustrate how AFD can make informed, context-specific decisions and apply tailored strategies to support financial inclusion in fragile contexts.