MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Karandaaz Unifies Data on Financial Services in Pakistan into Single Portal

An NGO named Karandaaz Pakistan recently launched a collection of data on financial services and “selected socioeconomic indicators” on Pakistan at https://karandaaz.com.pk/karandaazportal/. The initial data categories, which can be sorted by geography as well as the gender and age of the users of the services, include the following: (1) branchless banking; (2) financial services for farmers; and (3) financial services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The CEO of Karandaaz, Ali Sarfraz, said, “We hope that this data portal will give…momentum to the good practice of making data the centerpiece of our discussions, debates and conversations on financial inclusion in Pakistan.”

The impacts of Karandaaz include creating a “Micro Payments Gateway” as well as jobs for youth and women through activities such as investing in fintech (financial technology) firms, microenterprises, SMEs and women-led businesses. During the 12 months ending June 2018, the NGO received PKR 5 billion (USD 47 million) in grants, primarily from the UK government’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the US-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Sources and Additional Resources

Karandaaz press release
https://karandaaz.com.pk/media-center/news-events/karandaaz-pakistan-launches-portal-financial-services-indicators-pakistan/

Karandaaz Annual Report 2017-2018
https://karandaaz.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Karandaaz-Annual-Report-2017-2018-Final.pdf

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
https://www.gatesfoundation.org

DFID
https://www.dfid.gov.uk

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