Improving Humanitarian Payments Through Digital Innovation: Challenges and Opportunities – a report from the Better Than Cash Alliance, co-authored by Kapronasia

Digital humanitarian payments have been evolving rapidly, and the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the acceptance of digital payments across the globe.

However, in humanitarian crises, digital payments may not always be the most effective solution for organizations if there is not the necessary infrastructure. To truly be “better than cash”, the digital payments experience must be inclusive and responsible and create pathways to financial access for all.

This report focuses on the challenges and opportunities of responsibly digitizing the delivery of humanitarian payments: what has worked, what has not, and what does the future hold. It offers research-based analysis and practical advice for humanitarian agencies on the advantages and areas for growth of five key financial technologies in digital payments: mobile money, artificial intelligence, distributed ledger technology, QR codes, and super platforms. This report will assist humanitarians in determining when, if, and how digital payments can be effective, as well as recognizing when there are other more suitable solutions.