Building Inclusive Financial Systems Through AI and Emerging Technologies

MCV has launched the AI for Financial Resilience Initiative, a global call for innovative solutions using artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other emerging technologies to strengthen financial inclusion and economic resilience for the unbanked and underbanked.

The Problem: 1.4 Billion Still Unbanked

Despite advances in digital finance, 1.4 billion people worldwide remain without access to formal financial services. The majority live in developing regions, and women continue to be disproportionately excluded. Several key barriers persist:

• • Access and Usage Gaps: Rural, low-income populations and marginalized groups continue to face limited access to affordable financial services.
  • Identification and Data Gaps: Many individuals lack formal identification, user data, or credit histories, restricting their ability to borrow, save, or invest.

• • Affordability and Sustainability: High operational costs make it difficult for traditional providers to deliver services profitably in underserved regions.

• Trust and Digital Literacy: Skepticism toward digital systems and limited technological literacy slow adoption.
• Climate Vulnerability: Climate shocks—such as droughts, heatwaves, and floods—exacerbate financial instability. Between 68 and 135 million people in emerging markets risk falling into extreme poverty by 2030 due to these climate impacts.

Why AI Matters

Emerging technologies, particularly AI, are transforming digital consumer services at an unprecedented scale. When applied responsibly, AI can unlock opportunity for those traditionally excluded from the financial system. As MCV pilot partner Mercedes Bidart (Quipu) stated at TED AI Vienna, “When you say yes to people who have always been told no, you unlock dignity, growth, and opportunity.”

AI and blockchain technologies can reduce risk, streamline verification, automate transactions, and personalize services—making finance more inclusive, efficient, and resilient.

About the AI for Financial Resilience Initiative

The AI for Financial Resilience program accelerates innovations that close financial service gaps for unbanked, underbanked, and climate-vulnerable populations. Through targeted pilots, partnerships, and research, MCV supports scalable digital solutions that:

• • Expand financial inclusion via AI-driven products such as insurance, credit scoring, savings, and remittances.
  • Enhance economic resilience through parametric credit, tokenized savings, and anticipatory cash transfers.

• Foster trust in digital finance through transparency, user-friendly interfaces, and equitable data practices.

By leveraging technology, the initiative aims to bridge the divide between financial inclusion and climate adaptation, empowering millions of people to protect their livelihoods against economic shocks.

Objectives of the Call

1. Expand Financial Inclusion and Resilience Through Innovation
   • Leverage AI, blockchain, and emerging technologies to deliver accessible and affordable financial services (insurance, credit, savings, and remittances).
   • Design solutions that prioritize user needs, cultural context, and affordability for low-income populations.
2. Bridge Climate Resilience and Financial Access
   • Develop solutions that help communities withstand and recover from climate shocks by integrating protection mechanisms such as microinsurance and early cash assistance.
3. Build Evidence and Share Learnings
   • Generate actionable insights, document best practices, and share results to inform sector-wide strategies and encourage replication across markets.

Who Should Apply

MCV seeks innovators, startups, social enterprises, and research collaborations working at the intersection of AI, fintech, and inclusion. Proposed solutions should serve:

• Primary beneficiaries: Unbanked and underbanked populations, with an emphasis on low-income individuals, women, immigrants, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
• Geographic focus: Emerging markets—especially Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Solutions may address areas such as:

• Financial literacy and digital education using AI.
• Credit scoring and lending for users without formal financial histories.
• AI- or blockchain-powered microinsurance, remittance, or savings platforms.
• Predictive tools for climate risk management and anticipatory aid delivery.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Impact First

• How will the proposed solution build financial resilience for unbanked individuals in emerging markets?
• What is the estimated reach and depth of impact?

2. Innovation Edge

• How “first-of-its-kind” is the approach?
• What signal does this send to the broader ecosystem about responsible, inclusive innovation?

3. Sustainability

• What is the proposed business model?
• How can the product or service scale sustainably to reach millions of unbanked people?

4. Likelihood of Success

• What is the technological readiness level (TRL)?
• Does the partner have an established or captive user base?
• How likely is the pilot to achieve measurable results within the project timeframe?

Application Details

Application Period: November 4 – December 1, 2025

If you are building transformative solutions at the intersection of AI and financial resilience for unbanked communities, this initiative offers an opportunity to pilot, scale, and showcase your innovation on a global stage.