Mobile transfers technologies are changing the way in way populations relate to financial services in many developing countries. While robust and comprehensive literature on the subject is not yet available, this background note provides a general overview of the trends and opportunities emerging with these new systems.

Based on the example of Kenya and drawing conclusions from other cases, this background notes highlights that mobile money systems can play an important role for development given their adaptation to local contexts and their unsefulness for unbanked populations. Mobile technologies are also expected to bring along unexpected social, economical and cultural consequences that will require increased attention in the future.