Responsible Social Protection: Lessons From COVID-19 Digital Cash Transfers

This publication is about uncovering consumer risks arising from the rapidly digitizing G2P programs aimed at the most vulnerable in society, most of whom have no prior experience with digital technology or the formal financial system. It is based on literature review examining implementations of the programs, with a focus on the recipient experience, as well as interviews with experts in global social protection, consumer protection, and payments, and market actors such as governments, consumer organizations, and industry bodies in developing countries.

The report is the fourth in a CFI series that examines how economic policies enacted around COVID-19 in emerging markets and developing economies have impacted low-income users and the financial service providers that serve them.