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October 16, 2023
For over 50 years, Opportunity International has been shining a light on the pathway out of poverty through financial inclusion. We are proud to be part of a movement that has helped millions of people find the strength, hope, and resilience needed to achieve their dreams.
But our journey is far from over.
Today, we find ourselves at an unprecedented stage globally in terms of change. We recognize that in the face of a rapidly changing financial landscape, we must continually adapt, develop new strategies, and embrace the opportunities this transformative era offers.
The financial landscape is evolving at an ever-accelerating pace, driven by technological advancements, global events, and the pressing realities of climate change. In this special blog post celebrating Financial Inclusion Week from October 16th to 19th, 2023, we delve deeper into these dynamics and highlight our ongoing efforts to navigate these changes. Our efforts remain focused on continually supporting our clients in collaboration with the global network we are part of.
The clients we serve are disproportionately affected by the devastating impact of poverty and financial exclusion, particularly in rural communities. However, with the help of technology, we can bridge this gap and empower those who need it most. By leveraging digital financial services, we can reach even the most underserved populations and ensure they have access to the financial tools they need to thrive.
Opportunity International’s Digital Financial Services is forging partnerships with financial institutions to blend high-tech solutions, such as tablet-based banking, with high-touch approaches, like training and equipping local agents. This combination of technology and personalized interaction is designed to achieve the highest possible impact for our clients worldwide.
But the story continues. We are deeply committed to providing access to financial services and ensuring that our clients receive the necessary training and support to make the most of these opportunities. By nurturing financial literacy and fostering entrepreneurship, we aim to help clients unlock their full potential and realize their dreams.
Climate change is a global threat that can potentially exacerbate poverty and inequality on a massive scale. Over 100 million people will be pushed into extreme poverty by climate change by 2030, with developing countries expected to bear 75-80% of the costs.
The majority of our 18 million clients across 33 countries are among those most vulnerable to climate change. They risk failing to recover from frequent, adverse weather events, including unseasonal temperatures, droughts, flash floods, and other climatic changes occurring with greater frequency and intensity.
Climate change is projected to continue increasing the severity and frequency of these adverse impacts on Opportunity clients and partners.
As a pioneer in microinsurance, we have helped pave the way for millions of clients to access insurance for crop failure, storm damage, and loss of life. Instead of seeing their livelihoods completely wiped out, clients can bounce back and build a stronger business going forward.
We are also deeply invested in research, aiming to gather better data that helps us understand the impacts of climate change and measure our clients’ resilience. Our ongoing efforts include developing innovative blended finance tools to incentivize clients to adopt more resilient practices, particularly among smallholder farmers.
As we navigate the complex challenges and changes ahead of us, we remain committed to empowering our clients and partners to build resilience and face the future with hope and confidence. We firmly believe that, together, we can overcome the challenges that lie ahead and continue to shine a light on the path to a brighter, more inclusive financial future for all.
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