The journey toward financial empowerment is transforming globally, driven by innovation and a push for inclusion.

Investing is no longer reserved for the wealthy or well-connected.

Unprecedented progress in financial inclusion is reshaping how people engage with markets.

From mobile payments to open data systems, tools are emerging that lower barriers.

However, deep-seated inequities and risks remain, making this a critical moment for reflection and action.

The Foundation of Financial Inclusion Today

Global access to basic financial services has seen remarkable growth in recent years.

According to the Global Findex Database 2025, 79% of adults worldwide now have an account.

This includes bank accounts, mobile money providers, and other regulated institutions.

The rise in digital payments, savings, and borrowing highlights a shift toward more accessible finance.

Digital infrastructure, such as internet and mobile networks, is now a core determinant of this access.

Having an account is a necessary first step, but it is not sufficient for enabling investing.

The IMF Financial Access Survey 2025 reports that digital transactions in emerging economies surged from 55 to 251 per adult between 2017 and 2024.

This growth is particularly strong in Sub-Saharan Africa, where mobile money has brought millions into the formal system.

Fintech innovations are expanding beyond basic payments into credit and investment-like products.

• Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) reached a transaction value of $350 billion in 2024.
• Peer-to-peer lending hit $62 billion in transactions.
• Fintech lending for micro-enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa rose from 13% to 88% of funding between 2020 and 2023.

These trends underscore how technology is paving the way for broader investment opportunities.

Persistent Barriers to True Democratization

Despite progress, significant gaps hinder equal access to investing.

Gender disparities are stark, with women's financial participation lagging behind men's.

Women's outstanding deposit amounts are only 64% of men's globally.

Their loan balances are a mere 46% of men's, according to IMF data.

Structural barriers, such as legal constraints and care burdens, exacerbate these inequalities.

Financial and digital literacy play crucial roles in successful use of services.

Low literacy levels can lead to over-indebtedness and fraud.

Products like BNPL may obscure true costs and are often absent from credit registries.

• Key constraints include weak infrastructure and high costs.
• Complex regulations can heighten vulnerability to predatory lending.
• Education and consumer protection are as vital as technology in democratizing investing.

Access without understanding can undermine household financial health.

Technology as a Catalyst for Change

Fintech is revolutionizing how people interact with financial systems.

Mobile money and digital wallets enable transactions without traditional bank accounts.

This shift is crucial for regions with limited banking infrastructure.

Open finance and data-sharing platforms are creating more personalized products.

They allow individuals to leverage transaction history for better credit terms.

The volume of digital transactions underpins the case for democratized investing.

Once payment rails are in place, other services like investing can follow.

• Examples include real-time payments systems like Brazil's Pix.
• APIs and cloud-based technologies integrate diverse data sources.
• These tools lower costs and friction for small business lending.

Technology is not just a tool but a bridge to financial inclusion.

Case Study: Brazil's Innovative Approach

Brazil serves as a powerful example of democratized finance in action.

The Pix system, launched by the central bank, is an instant, low-cost payment platform.

It has seen massive adoption across income levels for daily transactions.

Open Finance in Brazil enables individuals to share financial data across institutions.

This fosters competition and more tailored products, such as loans and insurance.

Consumers can use Pix history to prove income stability, even without formal employment.

However, inclusion is not automatic; risks include steering lower-income users to complex products.

• Directions for true inclusion: invest in digital literacy in rural areas.
• Ensure strong data protection for safe engagement.
• Target tools at those furthest from formal systems.

Brazil's experience shows that infrastructure must be paired with education and protection.

The Power of Data in Unlocking Access

Data is transforming how financial services are delivered and accessed.

Open finance uses alternative data like cash-flow history to underwrite those lacking credit scores.

Mastercard's initiatives highlight this impact, with programs supporting small businesses.

The Strive USA program has delivered services to over 1.8 million small businesses since 2022.

It enabled over $45 billion in loans through more than 1,400 partners.

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in the US focus on underserved communities.

They provided significant COVID-19 relief, with over 25% of loans going to high-poverty areas.

CRF Insights, a data platform, aggregates transaction data for real-time views of business health.

This has led to $1.2 billion in deployments to more than 25,000 businesses since 2020.

• Benefits: lower costs, improved access to capital, and tailored advice.
• Challenges: data silos and manual processes in investment firms.
• Solutions: cloud-based technologies and API-driven integration.

Responsible data sharing can expand access to credit and investment products.

Towards Inclusive Investing for All

Democratizing investing requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both opportunities and risks.

Individuals can take practical steps to engage with new financial tools.

Start by building digital literacy through online courses or community programs.

Utilize fintech apps that offer low-cost investment options and educational resources.

Advocate for policies that promote transparency and consumer protection in financial markets.

Global collaboration among governments and private sectors is essential.

Invest in infrastructure that reaches marginalized communities, such as rural internet access.

Support initiatives that focus on gender equity and financial education for all.

By leveraging technology, data, and education, we can create a future where investing is truly for everyone.

The path forward involves continuous innovation and a commitment to equity.

Embrace these changes to build a more inclusive financial world for generations to come.