Main content

The unbanked

1.4 billion people in the world can't get a bank account. Two thirds of them live in low and middle income countries. We look at why that's the case and what’s being done to help.

Oscar Bilayin Kudor runs a business in Ghana producing cassava flour. He wants to grow his business but traditional banks are reluctant to lend him the money to buy expensive machinery.

1.4 billion people around the world people can't get access to formal banking. Two thirds of them live in low and middle income countries.

One of Ghana’s largest banks, Absa Bank thinks it has a solution. It’s giving small businesses grants to help them access formal banking facilities.

Having a bank account makes it easier for households to budget and businesses are more likely to thrive. In this episode we also look at how digital banks are helping more people get bank accounts and why access to banking is key to empowering women.

Producer/Presenter: Sam Fenwick
Image: Oscar Bilayin Kudor; Credit: Oscar Bilayin Kudor

Available now

18 minutes

Broadcast

  • Thu 16 Mar 2023 08:32GMT

Podcast