The ‘Tech for Growth’ programme will enhance the role technology can play in expanding access to financial services in emerging markets, starting with Africa
The UK Department for International Trade (DIT) has today launched its ‘Tech for Growth’ Programme to enhance the role technology can play in expanding access to financial services, and support future trading opportunities between the UK and emerging economies.
The first year of the programme will be piloted across Africa, where access to financial services remains low. There are further plans for the programme to expand globally across South East Asia and Latin America.
In its first year, ‘Tech for Growth’ will deliver three pillars of activity:
Gerry Grimstone, UK Minister for Investment said:
Emma Wade-Smith OBE, HM Trade Commissioner for Africa said:
‘Tech for Growth’s’ research programme will help to overcome the underlying market barriers and frictions to trade, faced by tech companies looking to scale into emerging markets.
This first research output, ‘Inclusive Tech: Overcoming barriers to scale in emerging markets’ is launched alongside ‘Tech for Growth’. Produced in partnership with The Catalyst Fund, a FinTech accelerator supported by UK aid, the report outlines seven barriers currently inhibiting growth in the technology sector across emerging markets.
Maelis Carraro, Director Catalyst Fund said:
Background
For more information contact techforgrowth@trade.gov.uk
Download the report: Inclusive Tech: Overcoming barriers to scale in emerging markets
The Catalyst Fund
The Catalyst Fund is an accelerator for inclusive fintech startups and innovation ecosystems, in emerging markets, supported by UK aid through DFID and JPMorgan Chase & Co. The mission of the Catalyst Fund is to accelerate the development of affordable, accessible, and appropriate digital financial solutions for the world’s 3 billion underserved.