Action Line C7. E-business and financial inclusion as a catalyst for the formalization and growth of MSMEs

The session will examine how e-business, e-commerce and financial inclusion can pave the way to the formalization and growth of MSMEs, which make up the majority of enterprises in developing countries. Access to payments and financial services are identified as a key barrier to growing e-commerce. Mobile technology, which has transformed connectivity in developing countries, is a promising vehicle to foster financial inclusion by improving access to finance through digital payments. The session will also look at how national infrastructures such as the Post are leveraging digitalization to improve both financial inclusion and access to markets.