This case study is one of a number of products undertaken by Development Works Changemakers (DWC) for Digital Frontiers Institute, as part of its monitoring and measurement of results (MMR) process for 2019. Development Works Changemakers has conducted evaluative research of Digital Frontiers Institute’s impact in two phases in 2019. The first phase explored the impact of Digital Frontiers Institute on a wide range of Digital Financial Services (DFS) practitioners in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), specifically looking at Digital Frontiers Institute’s progress indicators. In the second phase, five case studies have been produced, two of countries, and three of institutions involved in DFS in Africa. The two country case studies are of Zambia and Uganda, while Bank of Kigali, MTN, and Accion were selected for institution case studies.
The key question informing the institution case studies is: “Over the last four years (2016-2019), what has Digital Frontiers Institute’s role been in developing the capacity of DFS practitioners working in each institution, and what further impacts are apparent at departmental and institution level?” This question has been explored through three data collection strategies:
- A high-level review of each institution’s website and other relevant documentation;
- Key informant interviews with up to seven practitioners working within different units/areas in each institution.
- Where appropriate, insights from relevant interviews from the first phase of the MMR process were also included.
This case study on Accion followed a rapid qualitative approach. In October 2019, a range of in-depth interviews was conducted with Accion staff, four located in the USA, and two located in Africa, to obtain as much insight into the impact of Digital Frontiers Institute. Due to time frame and budget limitations, it was not possible to include more individuals. Each was interviewed via the online Zoom platform.