2025-04-20-联合国西亚经济社会委员会-2025年可持续发展目标年度回顾_阿拉伯地区的金融普惠（英）_45页_4mb

Financial Inclusion in the Arab Region 2025 Report Summary

Overview

This report examines the state of financial inclusion in the Arab region as part of the broader UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, highlighting challenges and policy responses. Despite commitments under Agenda 2030, financial exclusion remains high, with significant disparities.

Current State of Financial Inclusion

• General Exclusion: In 2021, 64% of Arab adults (197 million people) lacked access to financial services, compared to a global average of 24%. Saudi Arabia showed the best performance, while countries in fragility conflict had the highest exclusion rates (79%).
• Intra-Regional Variation: High-income countries (e.g., Saudi Arabia) have higher inclusion, while low/middle-income countries lag. Digital access is weak (36% use digital payments vs. 67% globally).
• Underserved Groups:
  • Women: Only 29% of Arab women have bank accounts or use mobile money (vs. 74% globally), with a 13-percentage-point gender gap. Progress is seen in Egypt, but gaps persist.
  • Persons with Disabilities: Limited physical/digital accessibility, and data gaps hinder full inclusion. Initiatives in Egypt and Jordan aim to improve accessibility.
  • MSMEs: Only 14% of small-scale enterprises have loans, due to high costs, informal operations, and regulatory barriers; digital illiteracy is a key barrier.

Policy and Governance Efforts

• National Strategies: Nine countries have developed financial inclusion strategies, often led by central banks. However, these lack full civil society participation and gender mainstreaming.
• Legislative Actions: Countries like Egypt and Jordan issued guidelines for disabilities' access, but implementation is incomplete.
• Global Initiatives: UNESCO/Euro ESCWA collaborates on capacity-building; fintech sandboxes are emerging in several GCC countries.

Financial Institution Initiatives

• Digital and Traditional Access: Banks use mobile apps, ATMs in underserved areas, and simplified apps (e.g., UAE's Hayyak app) to expand services.
• Inclusive Products: Adapted products include low-cost accounts, insurance against breast cancer, and MSME credit lines.
• Financial Literacy: Banks train staff and run campaigns, but impact is uneven; digital gaps require education.

Role of Financial Technology

• Potential and Gaps: Fintech has attracted ~$1.2B in investment, but adoption is low compared to global averages.
• Access Barriers: Digital tools often exclude persons with disabilities, requiring inclusive design. Regulatory sandboxes support innovation but need broad access.

Conclusion

The Arab region faces persistent hurdles in financial inclusion, including gender gaps, disabilities' barriers, and MSME funding. While policies and fintech offer hope, coordinated efforts are needed to leverage digital solutions, enhance literacy, and ensure equitable access for all.