The Remittance Access Initiative (RAI) improves access to remittances for low-income, rural households across Africa

The RAI project, through a range of interventions, enhanced the consumer due-diligence (CDD) frameworks of partner remittance service providers (RSPs), enabling 360 thousand people in Africa to better access remittances. Between 2022 and 2023 Cenfri, through the PRIME Africa grant, provided technical assistance to remittance service providers (RSPs) in 7 African countries.

Budget:

Financed: €1,437,698
Co-Financed: €177,000

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Duration: 2020 ~ 2023

Project Category Remittances & Digitalisation

Target Groups:

All seven PRIME Africa countries,namely: Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, The Gambia and Uganda.
- Remittance-receiving households,especially low‑income rural households and women-centred
- Migrants who send remittances back home.

Programme

FFR Strategic Framework

PRIME Africa

Project Goals

To enhance remittance access for low-income, rural households through know-your-customer (KYC) and customer due diligence (CDD) innovations, such as identity proofing.

Implementing Partners

Cenfri is an independent, not-for-profit development consultancy. Based in Africa, it promotes inclusive financial sector development and welfare-enhancing digital economies. For this project, Cenfri partnered with: 3 RSPs in Ghana 2 RSPs in Kenya 1 RSP in Senegal 2 RSPs in The Gambia 2 RSPs in Uganda 2 RSPs in South Africa 1 RSP in Morocco

Geographic Target

Multi-country

Outcomes

13 project partners
358,305 people no longer facing KYC and CDD barriers
176,659 people to be impacted by interventions in the next 2-3 years
21 trainings with 124 people
15 innovative action plans developed
34 written guidance / manuals for RSPs on KYC/CDD innovation
11 Updated risk based assessment frameworks
22 actioned innovationstargeting KYC and CDD
15 engagement and 34 meetings with public authorities
Seven regulatory bodies in 6 of the 7 countries were engaged to present avenues for innovation within existing regulation.
A thousand customers benefitted directly from simplified due-diligence. 4,000 customers will benefit from one RSP’s changes to their rural agent onboarding process which makes it easier for rural agents to become agents whilst remaining compliant.

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