We partner with financial service providers to develop targeted strategies that empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Our services include portfolio diagnostics, customer segmentation, product innovation, and the integration of non-financial services. In partnership with Dalberg, we developed INVEST: The Process and Toolkit (SME Banking Toolkit) to support financial service providers and technical assistance funders better undersatnd SME markets, and how they can structure their support to respond to the actual needs of the SMEs.
Our Focus
We design and implement innovative solutions that empower underserved populations and drive sustainable economic growth by collaborating closely with financial service providers, governments, and ecosystem partners. Our expertise spans banking, digital finance, entrepreneurship, data, and policy with a strong focus on gender equity and youth empowerment.
Digital Finance
We support the development of inclusive digital solutions that respond to the needs and behaviours of underserved users. Our work ranges from user experience testing to co-designing digital platforms, mobile apps, and chatbots. For Access Bank Nigeria, we created a human-centered chatbot designed with the needs of women clients in mind.
Entrepreneurship Development
We collaborate with entrepreneurship ecosystem actors, including enterprise support organisations, financial institutions, donors, and regulators to create environments where entrepreneurs can thrive. We design programs that combine access to finance with capacity building, digital tools, and market linkages. ConsumerCentriX worked with BPR Bank Rwanda to strengthen its SME value proposition by building staff capacity, integrating non-financial services, and delivering a holistic banking model that improves SMEs’ access to finance, skills, and business support.
Gender Data
We help institutions unlock the potential of the women’s market by leveraging gender-disaggregated data, market diagnostics, and business case analysis. We develop actionable recommendations and support implementation. In Nigeria, Uganda and Bangladesh, we supported the development Women’s Financial Inclusion Data Dashboards with central banks in Nigeria and Bangladesh to improve decision-making based on real-time data.
Policy and Regulatory Dialogue
We advise financial sector regulatory institutions and key stakeholders in the regulatory space on how to embed inclusive finance into national policy frameworks. We offer support in research, strategy development, and stakeholder engagement. Through a partnership with the Alliance for Financial Inclusion, we conducted mapped gender gaps across multiple countries and built roadmaps for more inclusive regulatory practices.
Youth and Future Resilience
We recognize young people as drivers of innovation and growth. Our approach combines research and data to create accessible, digital-first financial products that overcome traditional barriers. Through the Youth in Business Programme, we’ve supported over €30 million in financing for young entrepreneurs across 11 countries. Beyond products, we focus on building youth financial skills and entrepreneurship through capacity building, digital literacy, and market connections. We foster supportive environments that empower youth and help them build resilience for the future.
