Mobile Banking and Financial Services for the Displaced Training Course
Introduction
For populations affected by forced displacement, such as refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), access to traditional financial services is often severely limited. This 5-day training course on Mobile Banking and Financial Services for the Displaced offers a crucial deep dive into how mobile technology and innovative financial solutions can empower these vulnerable groups. Participants will explore the unique challenges and immense opportunities of leveraging mobile banking, digital wallets, and other digital financial services to facilitate cash transfers, enable savings, and foster sustainable financial inclusion in crisis and post-crisis settings.
This intensive program is designed for humanitarian aid workers, financial inclusion specialists, technology practitioners, and anyone involved in delivering assistance to displaced populations. It will cover practical strategies for implementing mobile-first financial solutions, navigating complex regulatory landscapes, and building robust partnerships with financial service providers. By equipping participants with the knowledge to harness the power of mobile banking, the course aims to enhance the dignity, safety, and self-reliance of displaced individuals, enabling them to rebuild their lives and contribute to their host communities.
Duration: 5 Days
Target Audience:
- Humanitarian Program Managers and Officers
- Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) Specialists
- Financial Inclusion Experts
- Digital Transformation Leads in NGOs
- IT and Operations Staff in humanitarian organizations
- Protection and Safeguarding Officers
- Government and Donor representatives working on displacement issues
Objectives: Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the unique financial needs and challenges of displaced populations.
- Identify and evaluate various mobile banking and digital financial service models for crisis contexts.
- Design and manage mobile-first financial assistance programs for refugees and IDPs.
- Address key operational, technical, and regulatory considerations for mobile banking implementation.
- Develop strategies to promote financial literacy and foster long-term financial inclusion for the displaced.
Course Modules:
Module 1: Introduction to Financial Exclusion and the Displaced
- Understanding the global context of forced displacement (refugees, IDPs, returnees).
- Barriers to financial access for displaced populations (e.g., lack of ID, legal status, digital literacy).
- The role of cash and voucher assistance (CVA) in humanitarian response.
- The imperative for dignified and efficient financial service delivery.
- How mobile banking can bridge the financial exclusion gap.
Module 2: Mobile Banking Ecosystems and Core Services
- Overview of mobile money architecture: Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), agents, and platforms.
- Core mobile banking services: deposits, withdrawals, peer-to-peer transfers, bill payments.
- Understanding the role of agent networks in last-mile service delivery.
- Different mobile banking models: bank-led, MNO-led, and hybrid approaches.
- Regulatory considerations for mobile banking in diverse contexts.
Module 3: Designing Mobile-First Financial Assistance Programs
- Assessing the suitability of mobile banking for specific displaced populations and contexts.
- Planning and designing mobile money-based cash transfer programs.
- Considerations for e-vouchers and prepaid cards delivered via mobile platforms.
- Integrating mobile banking with broader humanitarian response strategies.
- Case studies of successful mobile banking interventions for refugees and IDPs.
Module 4: Operationalizing Mobile Banking for the Displaced
- Beneficiary identification and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements in displacement.
- Strategies for simplified KYC and alternative identification for refugees/IDPs.
- Managing liquidity and agent network capacity for large-scale disbursements.
- Training humanitarian staff and beneficiaries on mobile banking usage.
- Developing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks for mobile-based programs.
Module 5: Enhancing Financial Inclusion through Mobile Banking
- Beyond basic cash transfers: leveraging mobile banking for savings and credit.
- Facilitating remittances and cross-border payments for displaced persons.
- Promoting financial literacy and digital skills among mobile banking users.
- Linking humanitarian mobile banking initiatives to broader financial inclusion strategies.
- Exploring micro-insurance and other financial products accessible via mobile.
Module 6: Risk Management and Protection in Mobile Banking for the Displaced
- Identifying and mitigating financial risks (e.g., fraud, error, theft) in mobile transactions.
- Addressing cybersecurity threats and data privacy concerns specific to mobile banking.
- Ensuring consumer protection and fair practices by mobile money agents.
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries from exploitation and abuse.
- Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) in mobile money.
Module 7: Policy, Regulation, and Advocacy for Inclusive Mobile Banking
- Understanding the national regulatory landscape for mobile money and digital financial services.
- Advocating for policies that enable financial access for displaced populations.
- The role of central banks and financial sector regulators in humanitarian contexts.
- Promoting interoperability and a level playing field for various mobile banking providers.
- Collaboration between humanitarian actors, governments, and the private sector.
Module 8: Emerging Trends and Future of Mobile Banking for the Displaced
- Exploring the potential of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies in mobile banking.
- Innovations in digital identity and biometric verification for financial access.
- The role of artificial intelligence and data analytics in optimizing mobile financial services.
- Building resilient digital payment ecosystems for protracted displacement.
- Scaling up mobile banking solutions for greater impact and long-term financial resilience.
CERTIFICATION
- Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate
TRAINING VENUE
- Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.
AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION
- Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request
TERMS OF PAYMENT
Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com