Financial inclusion still a challenge in low income communities in Africa

Africa's financial environment is as competitive as other developing and high income regions in some countries, but access to finance remains a challenge, according to ICAEW (The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales). In its report Economic Insight: Africa Q3 2016, the accountancy and finance body notes that whilst some countries have excellent financial soundness access to credit remains a challenge for many Africans.

LONDON, UK, 17 October 2016, -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- The report undertakes a comparative review of the financial systems and regulations in Africa relative to the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region. It compares indicators of the financial environment (including credit metrics, risk evaluation and monetary policy), as well as regulation and supervision standards.

The report looks at the role financing can play in economic development across the continent and likely developments in the cost of financing in the coming years. In 2016 rankings, Rwanda performed best in SSA in terms of getting credit, followed by Zambia, Kenya, Ghana, Mauritius and Uganda. This likely stems from the fact that Rwanda has made six reforms to facilitate getting credit during the 2010-16 period, strengthening borrowers' and lenders' collateral laws.

However, Michael Armstrong, Regional Director, ICAEW Middle East, Africa and South Asia notes that “financial inclusion remains low in Africa. Whilst many of Sub-Saharan Africa's population has access to a formal banking system, in low income communities the degree to which individuals can access financial services is limited, especially when considering the limited availability of private credit. This could have real effects on economic growth if it remains unchanged. Governments hoping to drive prosperity should consider how they can increase access to finance. ”

According to Making Finance Work for Africa (MFW4A), in 2015 only 23% of African households had access to formal or semi-formal financial services. There is thus a significant variation between countries' levels of financial sector development. Private Sector credit extension (PSCE) to GDP ratios reflect the extent to which banking sectors provide capital to business, and most SSA countries have relatively low PSCE to GDP ratios, which is indicative of the underdeveloped nature of the banking sectors and the limited availability of private credit in these countries.

The report notes that South Africa and Mauritius have the highest PSCE to GDP ratios on the continent, with South Africa's figure estimated at 150% in 2015 while Mauritius' ratio is estimated at around 104%. These figures remain impressive even in a global context: South Africa's ratio is higher than the UK's (134%), while Mauritius's figure is slightly above the global middle-income, weighted at an average of 102%. The high ratios result from the fact that these countries' finance sectors are more sophisticated than those of other SSA countries.

Oxford Economics, ICAEW's partner and accredited expert in global economic forecasting, and NKC African Economics produced the Economic Insight: Africa Q3 2016 report. The full Economic Insight: Africa report can be found here:http://www.icaew.com/en/technical/economy/economic-insight/economic-insight-africa

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of ICAEW.

Media enquiries:
Jamie Douglass
ICAEW press office
+44 (0)20 7920 8718 or email James.Douglass@icaew.com

Charity Katago
Tell-Em Public Relations East Africa
+254 722 738 583 or email charity.katago@tell-em-pr.com

Joel Chacha
Tell-Em Public Relations East Africa
+254 722 909 251 or email joel.chacha@tell-em-pr.com

Notes to editors:

About ICAEW

1. ICAEW is a world leading professional membership organisation that promotes, develops and supports over 145,000 chartered accountants worldwide. We provide qualifications and professional development, share our knowledge, insight and technical expertise, and protect the quality and integrity of the accountancy and finance profession.

As leaders in accountancy, finance and business our members have the knowledge, skills and commitment to maintain the highest professional standards and integrity. Together we contribute to the success of individuals, organisations, communities and economies around the world.

Because of us, people can do business with confidence.

2. ICAEW is a founder member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide and the Global Accounting Alliance.

About Oxford Economics Oxford Economics Oxford Economics is one of the world's foremost advisory firms, providing analysis on 200 countries, 100 industries and 3,000 cities. Their analytical tools provide an unparalleled ability to forecast economic trends and their economic, social and business impact. Headquartered in Oxford, England, with regional centres in London, New York, and Singapore and offices around the world, they employ one of the world's largest teams of macroeconomists and thought leadership specialists.

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