Learning brief 5: Big data could mean big opportunity: Why we should stay excited for data analytics in smallholder finance

Published on

September 26, 2018

Learning Lab & Dalberg Advisors

The fifth Learning Brief in the Lab’s research series, this brief aims to provide a high level understanding of how data analytics is used for smallholder farmers, introduce a new framework to understand the economics of data analytic investments, and highlight key innovators in the space.

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With a USD 150 billion smallholder finance gap, the use of data analytics could be the game change we need to serve smallholders profitably and at scale. And while early signs are promising, there is still a lot of work to be done. To bring data analytics to the next level, it will require a concerted effort from all players. Financial service providers and digital service providers will need to work together on a commercial scale to prove the business case and develop blueprints of success. Meanwhile, donors and investors will need to continue funding more and better innovative solutions to increase the possibility of innovation.

To learn more about the opportunities for data analytics in smallholder finance, download the full brief below.

To understand the return on investment (ROI) on data analytic investments, download the excel tool below.

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Learning Brief 5

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RAFLL Economics of DA Investments

About the Author(s)

Learning Lab

Original Content

The Learning Lab works to identify and share knowledge relevant to our learning agenda and our users, but also to create new knowledge through research and facilitated learning. Original content from the Learning Lab includes news about the Lab, analyses we've conducted, knowledge products we've created, and posts we've written about other relevant initiatives.

Dalberg Advisors

Learning Lab Implementing Partner

Dalberg is a strategic advisory firm specializing in international development and global challenges. They have extensive expertise in rural and agricultural finance, including having authored the landmark study Catalyzing Smallholder Finance.

Dalberg jointly implements the Learning Lab with GDI, conducting "deep dive" studies for the Fund for Rural Prosperity as well as the MasterCard Foundation's rural and agricultural finance portfolio. On raflearning.org, Dalberg also shares knowledge and learnings from outside of its work with the Lab.