Using Information as a Driver of Change: Lessons from FinScope South Africa

This case study examines the role of FinScope, a nationally representative survey developed by the FinMark Trust (FMT), in driving financial inclusion in South Africa. It analyzes how the tool filled a critical information gap for policymakers and financial service providers, moving the industry toward evidence-based decision-making and the development of pro-poor financial products.

• FinScope was created to address a severe lack of demand-side data on financial inclusion in South Africa, which hindered both public policy debates and the ability of banks to expand into new markets. The survey aimed to provide credible indicators of inclusion, identify obstacles to growth, and highlight opportunities for policy reform and product innovation.
• Between 2004 and 2014, financial inclusion in South Africa increased from 61% to 86%, with the number of financially included adults rising from 17.7 million to 31.4 million. While not solely attributable to FinScope, the survey is credited with making 'access to financial services' a legitimate objective and initiating high-profile discussions on the topic.
• To ensure sustainability and relevance, FinMark Trust established a 'Syndicate' of private sector and government members who fund and guide the survey annually. Since 2004, these members have paid for the survey's conduct, with costs estimated at approximately USD 27,000 per member, although FMT still manages the overheads and coordination.
• FinScope has expanded beyond South Africa into a multinational brand, with donor-funded replications in 23 countries across SADC, non-SADC Africa, and Asia. In August 2015, the SADC Council of Financial Ministers resolved to implement FinScope in every country of the region every other year.
• The tool has influenced the South African regulatory environment, informing initiatives such as the Dedicated Banks Bill, the Co-operative Bank Act, and the Customer Credit Bill/National Credit Act. The National Treasury identifies FinScope as the primary government source for demand-side data on financial services.
• A key lesson from the FinScope experience is that technical credibility and neutral brokerage are essential for a facilitator to convene stakeholders and shift industry dialogue. Additionally, the case highlights that data must be communicated effectively and be co-invested in by industry players to ensure long-term utility.

APA

Gibson, A., Elliott, D., & Johnson, D. (2016). Using Information as a Driver of Change: Lessons from FinScope South Africa. FSD Africa. https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Finmark_Briefing-final_digital.pdf

Chicago

Gibson, Alan, David Elliott, and Diane Johnson. Using Information as a Driver of Change: Lessons from FinScope South Africa. FSD Africa, 2016. https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Finmark_Briefing-final_digital.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gibson |first1=Alan |last2=Elliott |first2=David |last3=Johnson |first3=Diane |title=Using Information as a Driver of Change: Lessons from FinScope South Africa |publisher=FSD Africa |date=October 2016 |url=https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Finmark_Briefing-final_digital.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{gibson2016using, author = {Gibson, Alan and Elliott, David and Johnson, Diane}, title = {{Using Information as a Driver of Change: Lessons from FinScope South Africa}}, institution = {FSD Africa}, year = {2016}, month = oct, url = {https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Finmark_Briefing-final_digital.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }