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Mobile Money Accounts Grow To 1.2 Billion In 2020, According To The GSMA

Driven by the global pandemic, transactions increased by 65% during 2020
LONDON, March 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The GSMA has today published its annual ‘State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money’. It reveals a dramatic acceleration in mobile transactions during the COVID-19 pandemic as lockdown restrictions limited access to cash and financial institutions. The report found that the number of registered accounts grew by 13 per cent globally in 2020 to more than 1.2 billion – double the forecast. The fastest growth was in markets where governments provided significant pandemic relief to their citizens.
Providing more opportunities in the formal economy
To minimise the economic toll of COVID-19, many national governments distributed monetary support to individuals and businesses. The value of government-to-person payments quadrupled during the pandemic, with the mobile money industry working hand-in-hand with administrations and NGOs to distribute social protection and humanitarian payments quickly, securely, and efficiently to those in need. Facilitating this type of direct income support payments is one example of how mobile money provides a financial lifeline to underserved communities. Mobile money providers have also provided in-kind support, including the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand sanitising gel at agent counters.
“We see that mobile money is a powerful tool for expanding the financial inclusion of women in low- and middle-income countries,” said John Giusti, the GSMA’s Chief Regulatory Officer. “This year’s report, however, found that across markets women are still 33 per cent less likely than men to have a mobile money account. The GSMA and its members are committed to closing this gender gap by addressing the barriers that prevent women from accessing and using mobile financial services.”
Closing the gap requires a collaborative and concerted effort. Many providers have committed to increasing the proportion of female customers. One example of an innovative approach to this is launching micro-entrepreneur products that can be used in markets where women represent the majority of vendors and customers.
Increasing global financial equality
For the first time, more than $1 billion was sent and received in the form of remittances globally every month via mobile money. Despite early fears that transactions would decline as people worldwide suffered job losses and income cuts during the pandemic, it remains clear that diasporas continue to support family and friends back home. As a result, the total value of transactions increased by 65 per cent to an annual total of $12.7 billion in 2020.
In working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the GSMA remains committed to reducing inequalities among countries when sending money internationally. According to GSMA’s research, mobile money provides an affordable channel for connecting people to vital financial resources. The mobile money ecosystem has been strengthened by an increasing number of strategic partnerships established between money transfer organisations and mobile money providers.
Driving regulatory change
As the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted people’s lives and weakened economies, regulators responded with a variety of measures aimed at reducing the impact. The research found that the pandemic gave fresh urgency to the need for regulatory change to facilitate greater digitalisation. In many markets, transaction limits were increased to allow more funds to flow through mobile money. Additionally, as demand rose for non-physical payments, some regulators classified mobile money agents and their supply chains as essential services. Over 50 per cent of mobile money agents were continuously active throughout the pandemic, which was crucial for service continuity and maintaining liquidity.
While some of the regulatory reforms made in response to the pandemic have been positive for customers and providers, the implementation and extension of fee waivers has had a negative impact on mobile money providers’ core revenue stream. Mobile Money providers depend mainly on transactional revenues to sustain their business. Regulators are strongly encouraged to work closely with the industry to ensure sustainability going forward.
To find out more, download the 2021 ‘State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money’ here: https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/resources/state-of-the-industry-report-on-mobile-money-2021. Further information on the GSMA’s Mobile Money programme is available at: www.gsma.com/mobilemoney.
Note to editors The State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money draws on the results of the annual GSMA Global Adoption Survey of Mobile Financial Services and data from the GSMA Mobile Money Deployment Tracker. It provides insights on mobile money performance from the GSMA’s engagement with the industry. The report is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
About GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with almost 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Africa, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Thrive Series of regional conferences.
For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.
Media Contacts:
GSMA Press Office pressoffice@gsma.com
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1385555/GSMA_Logo.jpg

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11 SPJIMR faculty featured in Ivey Publishing’s 2026 global Bestsellers and Classics cases’ lists

SPJIMR cases ranked among the most widely used teaching materials worldwide, reinforcing the institute’s growing influence in case-based management educationMUMBAI, India, June 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Eleven (11) faculty members from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) are featured in Ivey Publishing’s Bestsellers 2025–2026 list and Ivey Classics 2016–2026 list, which recognise the most widely used teaching cases globally across disciplines.
These cases earned their place in classrooms because they provoke questions. The ones that endure are those that capture real dilemmas, invite multiple perspectives, and encourage learners to wrestle with uncertainty. This recognition of SPJIMR’s 11 faculty members reflect the value of creating learning experiences that challenge assumptions, spark debate, and help students think more deeply about complex managerial decisions.Ivey Publishing, the case-publishing arm of Ivey Business School at Western University, Canada, compiles its annual Bestsellers and Classics lists based on classroom adoption data drawn from business schools globally. Cases are ranked by frequency of use within each discipline, making the lists a direct measure of pedagogical impact and educator trust.With eight ranked positions across six disciplines in the Bestsellers list—Communications, Economics & Public Policy, Entrepreneurship, Management Science, Marketing, and Strategy—the recognition reflects SPJIMR’s sustained contribution to case-based management education in classrooms around the world and the growing relevance of India-rooted business insights.SPJIMR cases in the Bestsellers 2025–2026 listDisciplineCase titleSPJIMR facultyCommunications (#1)             Is That an Order?Prof. Vineeta Dwivedi and Prof. Tulsi JayakumarEconomics & Public Policy (#2) Inflationary Targeting in India: Replace, Rejig, or Reaffirm Targeting?       Prof. Tulsi JayakumarEconomics & Public Policy (#3)Is Japan’s Monetary Policy a Rational Expectations Saga?Prof. Preeta George and Prof. Monika GuptaEntrepreneurship (#6) Savemom: The Smart Wearable Solution for Maternal Health Care Prof. Renuka Kamath (with co-author Shrinath V.; PGDM 2007 alum)Management Science (#3)Jay Bharat Spices Pvt. Ltd.: A Spicy Quandary           Prof. Amol S. Dhaigude (with co-authors Shravan M. Parsam and Sidhartha Padhi)Management Science (#8)     JSW Steel Ltd.: A Logistics Dilemma         Prof. Amol S. Dhaigude and Prof. Debmallya ChatterjeeMarketing (#1)            Snaqary Snacks: Building a Start-Up Brand Prof. Ashita Aggarwal (with co-author Suraj Commuri)Strategy (#5)   Parag Milk Foods: Driving Growth through Brand-Building in India’s Dairy Industry           Prof. Ashita Aggarwal and Prof. Rajiv AgarwalThe Classics 2016–2026 list recognises the 25 most-used cases of the past decade across a wide range of disciplines and topics, from general management, strategy and leadership to marketing and finance. It includes five SPJIMR faculty membersSPJIMR cases in the Classics 2016–2026 listDiscipline Case title SPJIMR facultyGeneral Management, International Business (#7)Building a Backdoor to the iPhone: An Ethical Dilemma Prof. Tulsi Jayakumar and Prof. Surya TahoraAccounting, Entrepreneurship, International Business (#15)Anandam Manufacturing Company: Analysis of Financial StatementsProf. Vinay Goyal (with co-author S.K. Mitra)Entrepreneurship, International Business, Marketing (#22)Evoe Spring Spa: A Positioning Dilemma Prof. Ashita Aggarwal and Prof. Renuka Kamath (with co-author Sunil Rao)This year, Prof. Aggarwal and Prof. Kamath’s case on Evoe Spring Spa is among the four cases that have joined the Ivey Classics list for the first time.Commenting on the recognition, Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR, said, “Great teaching cases immerse learners in the complexity of decision-making. The global adoption of our cases reflects SPJIMR’s commitment to creating scholarship that is rigorous, relevant, and rooted in real-world challenges. We are particularly proud that many of these cases emerge from Indian contexts yet resonate with educators and students globally. This recognition reinforces our belief that management education is most powerful when it equips learners to navigate ambiguity with judgement, purpose, and responsibility.”The 2026 recognition is the latest in an unbroken run of Ivey distinctions for SPJIMR faculty. It reflects a commitment to developing cases that are grounded in real business contexts and structured to generate insight that transfers across markets and industries. SPJIMR cases have covered topics as varied as macroeconomic policy, supply chain logistics, brand strategy, and maternal health technology, reflecting the breadth of the faculty’s research interests and their conviction that the classroom is itself a site of serious intellectual inquiry.For more news and updates, visit our Newsroom.About SPJIMRBharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) is one of India’s leading postgraduate management institutes. It is recognised in the Financial Times MiM rankings as the #35 business school globally and among the Top 3 in India, ranked by Business Today as one of the country’s top five business schools, and rated by the Positive Impact Rating as one of the top five schools worldwide for societal impact. Known for its innovative and socially-conscious approach to management education, research, and community engagement, SPJIMR aims to influence managerial practice and promote the value-based growth of its students, alumni, organisations and its leaders, and society. SPJIMR holds the international ‘Triple Crown’ of accreditations from EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA.Visit SPJIMR.org for more information.Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1896222/5639305/SPJIMR_Logo_1.jpg

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Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh Signs MoU with Film Society of India to Establish ‘Film Gurukul Studio’ to Nurture Future-ready Filmmakers

Chandigarh University UP Collaborates with Film Society of India to Cultivate Future-ready Media Professionals through Expert Mentorship & Experiential LearningLUCKNOW, India, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — To provide experiential learning to its students in media and filmmaking, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Film Society of India (FSI). As part of the collaboration, a Film Gurukul Studio would be established at the varsity campus to provide students with industry-oriented training, internship opportunities and hands-on exposure to filmmaking, workshops, masterclasses, exposure to live industry projects and guest lectures by FSI’s network of filmmakers, media professionals and cultural practitioners.

The MoU was signed between Chandigarh University’s School of Media Studies and Film Society of India (FSI) recently in the presence of Dr. TP Singh, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh, and Dr. Durgesh Pathak, President, Film Society of India, among other senior officials of Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh.As part of the collaboration, CU Uttar Pradesh and FSI would jointly organize film festivals, media conclaves, screenings and cultural events that enrich the campus creative ecosystem. The agreement would also encourage collaborative research, publications and creative media projects of academic and cultural significance, nurturing an environment of entrepreneurship and innovation in media, entertainment and the creative arts sector. The MoU is also expected to open new opportunities for students interested in exploring careers in media, cinema, content creation and other creative domains.In a joint statement released by CU UP and FSI, officials mentioned that as part of the collaboration, students will have access to a range of short-term courses and specialized training programmes covering various aspects of filmmaking and media production. The programmes will combine theoretical knowledge with practical learning to help students develop a deeper understanding of storytelling, cinematography, editing, sound design, production processes and other critical aspects of the creative industries. The proposed Film Gurukul Studio is expected to serve as a dynamic learning space where students can engage in practical projects, receive mentorship from industry professionals and gain exposure to contemporary filmmaking practices.Jai Inder Singh Sandhu, Managing Director, Chandigarh University, said, “At Chandigarh University, we lay emphasis on providing experiential learning to our students by exposing them to live industry projects. The MoU signed between CU and FSI will go a long way in polishing the budding talent of Chandigarh University and transform them into future-ready professionals in media, art and entertainment industries. The programmes are intended to combine theoretical knowledge with practical training, enabling learners to gain deeper insights into the functioning of the creative and entertainment industries. Our students will no longer just read about cinema in textbooks; they will create it.”About Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow)Envisioned to foster a culture of sustainability and empower future global leaders, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, immerses 21st-century learners in a personalised and experiential learning experience, integrating an AI-powered academic model and a multidimensional, futuristic perspective on education. Our Uttar Pradesh campus carries forward the venerable legacy of more than a decade of Chandigarh University, Punjab, which has established itself as India’s No. 1 Private University and a torchbearer of groundbreaking pedagogy and research-driven innovation. The AI-augmented new campus offers a broad spectrum of industry-driven futuristic academic programs encompassing data-driven insights, virtual reality experiences, real-world simulations, corporate mentorship, international perspective, interdisciplinary research, cultivation of entrepreneurial spirit, and professional competencies.Website address: https://www.culko.in/Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2998171/Chandigarh_Univ_UP_MoU_FSI.jpg 

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Reliance Digital Launches ‘Baaptaa’, a Father’s Day Campaign Celebrating the Many Expressions of Fatherhood

MUMBAI, India, June 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Reliance Digital has launched ‘Baaptaa’, a Father’s Day campaign to celebrate the many expressions of fatherhood. Built around a simple cultural observation, while “Maa ki Mamta” has long been a part of India’s collective vocabulary, there has never been a word that captures the distinct ways fathers express love, the campaign introduces ‘Baaptaa’ as a tribute to the many shades of fatherhood.

Conceptualised as an original music-led campaign, Baaptaa celebrates fathers not as idealised figures, but as they are experienced in everyday life, protective, dependable, emotional, quirky, practical, occasionally embarrassing, and always present. Through a relatable narrative, the campaign acknowledges the countless ways fathers care for their families, often through actions rather than words.Watch Video: https://youtu.be/9XyUsJB33Ds?si=PM67vhxrzth1JEkz At the heart of the campaign is an original music video told from a father’s perspective, capturing the different roles he plays across life’s moments and milestones. The film brings to life the humour, warmth and unspoken affection that characterise father-child relationships, while giving a name to a form of love that many recognise but few have articulated.The campaign stems from a simple insight: while motherhood has often found expression through familiar phrases and popular references, the unique language of fatherhood has remained largely undefined. Baaptaa seeks to fill that gap by creating a term that reflects the everyday gestures, practical wisdom and quiet sacrifices that fathers make.Father’s Day communication often leans into familiar emotional territory, but Reliance Digital’s campaign celebrates fathers in a way that feels more culturally authentic and relatable. The idea for ‘Baaptaa’ came from a simple observation — mother’s love has been immortalised in a number of heartfelt, emotional songs, there needed to be an anthem dedicated to dad’s love. And thus was born Baaptaa – a love language that is often awkward, practical, protective, humorous and deeply felt, even if rarely verbalised. It’s a celebration of fatherhood in all its wonderfully imperfect forms immortalized by a song that you won’t be able to stop humming.Shop for the widest range of electronics at Reliance Digital and thank your father for his Baaptaa.

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