Assessment of the Gender Gap in Access to Digital Financial Services in Burkina Faso

The objective of this research is to understand the current and potential role of digital financial services (DFS) in the lives of female entrepreneurs in Burkina Faso to increase their empowerment and resilience. The research found that DFS use and barriers are gendered and reflect societal norms, highlighting the need for a long-term perspective. Women are more likely to need and want agent assistance, rely on a friend or family member to help them use DFS, and express unease using DFS. Lack of means, education, and awareness are the main barriers to women's DFS use, particularly in rural areas, making it challenging to reach female last-mile customers. The study also found that women do not find DFS conducive to their entrepreneurial activities, which consist mainly of small but frequent financial transactions. In contrast, male entrepreneurs value using DFS for small business transactions. To address this, the research recommends that providers increase information about the DFS value proposition and more tools to make informed decisions for small business transactions. Trainings, media campaigns, and similar activities can help increase knowledge among female entrepreneurs of the requirements and benefits of DFS. Engaging women's families and social networks may help tackle norms that discourage gender-equitable financial inclusion. The study suggests incorporating households and broader social networks into gender-inclusive DFS. Finding and engaging with trusted intermediaries can help reduce the potential for divisiveness when increasing women's financial activities, digital or otherwise. The research highlights the need for significant advocacy, policy, and programmatic efforts from governments, donors, and NGOs to support broader, gradual social and cultural shifts regarding the roles and power accorded to women. Providers, conveners, and enablers are key stakeholders in promoting DFS among women, and their efforts are crucial in addressing the barriers to women's DFS use. The study's findings are relevant to those working to promote women's empowerment through digital financial inclusion in Burkina Faso and similar contexts. The research points not only to the importance of giving female entrepreneurs access to certain digital services but also to the importance of making sure they know exactly how DFS can be integrated into their daily lives for their benefit and engaging important people in their lives in order to build systemic support and goodwill among those who might otherwise be resistant to women using DFS. The research team conducted semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and analysis of transcription and coding to gather data. The study's sample characteristics and key findings are presented in the report, highlighting the interconnectedness of DFS barriers, the lack of trust within households and between women and agents, and the barriers and benefits to DFS. The study's conclusions and recommendations are presented in the report, emphasizing the need for a long-term perspective in addressing the gender gap in access to DFS. The research highlights the importance of engaging women's families and social networks, increasing information about the DFS value proposition, and promoting DFS among women through trainings, media campaigns, and similar activities.