In 2017, when the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) produced its first National Financial Inclusion Strategy, refugees were identified as a target population – the country is home to over 700,000 refugees, mostly from Syria. Today, CBJ and the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR are leveraging digital technologies in order to build refugees’ financial resilience and independence.  

“We want to ensure that everyone has affordable and safe access to financial services,” says Amr Ahmed, Head of Financial Inclusion at Central Bank of Jordan. “If you want to build economic well-being or a better life, you need a financial record that builds up, that enables you to access different services. The way we see it, it’s part of refugees’ identity, part of their rights, part of their dignity.” 

UNHCR provides refugees with cash assistance, and with the assistance of CBJ and other partners, has gradually rolled out the distribution of mobile wallets. “Mobile payment is a financially inclusive payment option,” says Heba Azazieh, UNHCR Cash-based Intervention Officer.  

“Refugees feel a sense of empowerment and ownership. This is the first time they own a financial account, and they can decide when and where to cash out, and how to spend their money. In addition to receiving cash assistance they have additional services, such as transferring money to other mobile wallets or paying bills online. Hopefully, once they go back to their countries, they can showcase the importance of digital financial services.” 

You can learn more about Central Bank of Jordan’s work to financially include refugees and other vulnerable populations in their National Financial Inclusion Strategy (2023-2028).