S P E C I A L I S T I N S I G H T
S P E C I A L I S T I N S I G H T
Empowering women – whether in entrepreneurship or corporate leadership – doesn ’ t require sweeping changes ; rather , it ’ s often the sum of smaller , intentional actions . When we commit to these efforts , we move closer to a future where gender parity isn ’ t just an ideal but a lived reality .
Financial inclusion is a critical issue , particularly in regions where the population is underserved by traditional banking . How does Mastercard leverage FinTech innovation to bridge this gap and bring more people into the financial ecosystem ?
A key aspect of my role is advancing financial inclusion , particularly for the 1.4 billion unbanked globally – a challenge that impacts women disproportionately . In today ’ s interconnected world , collaboration has become essential in achieving this goal .
At MasterCard , we ’ re committed to cross-industry collaboration , particularly with telecoms , which are ideally placed to address gaps in financial access . We partner with companies such as Vodafone in the UAE and Egypt , MTN in Africa , Orange and Airtel . These alliances are transforming access for underserved populations . Historically , traditional financial institutions have focused on certain segments of the population , while vast portions of society remain underbanked . Telecoms , however , have unique data , agility and insights into their customers , making them well-positioned to serve these needs .
Telecom providers offer distinct advantages , especially for small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) that often lack the formal records banks require . While banks may rely on conventional credit histories , telecoms can analyse alternative data points , such as geolocation and mobile transactions , to assess the financial health of SMEs and individuals alike . This is particularly valuable for cash-based SMEs , which often lack digitised transaction records . By integrating mobile-based payment acceptance solutions , these businesses can begin accepting digital payments , laying the groundwork for a robust digital economy .
Through these partnerships , telecoms are also able to provide micro-loans . Previously , small loans from telecoms were limited to airtime top-ups . Now , they can extend flexible micro-loans that empower SMEs to grow .
Ultimately , we ’ re creating ecosystems that promote long-term economic development , providing financial tools to those previously overlooked by traditional systems . It ’ s an incredibly rewarding opportunity to drive meaningful change on a global scale .
How does Mastercard foster collaborations between FinTech companies and traditional financial institutions to create lasting and sustainable impact ?
To establish successful partnerships , it is essential to understand and align with the values and mission of the organisations we work with . As I often say , people do business with people , not companies . Therefore , organisations need a shared purpose when pursuing initiatives like financial inclusion and aiming for sustainable impact .
Most FinTechs , though lacking in scale , dive deeply into specific issues and solve them exceptionally well , while larger financial institutions offer scale but may focus more broadly . When these entities come together , they address each other ’ s gaps effectively .
Customers today are demanding more seamless , integrated financial services . How is Mastercard evolving its product offerings to meet these changing expectations in digital and mobile payments ?
There are two key aspects to consider here . Firstly , the backend infrastructure which is primarily consumer-facing . As a B2B company , we have developed a robust portfolio of assets and platforms – some through acquisitions – to ensure a secure and resilient back-end . Cybersecurity is paramount and our cybersecurity and risk management assets are critical components . Additionally , we offer loyalty platforms that enable
50 www . intelligentfin . tech