Pilots that start with
national priorities.
Governments, regulators and international agencies propose a national pilot. We design it with them and their partners. We build the infrastructure it needs and prepare it for national scale.
Where mobile money opened access.
Account ownership in the region rose from 49 percent of adults in 2021 to 58 percent in 2024, largely through mobile money. Protection has not kept pace with adoption.
of adults hold an account
of adults hold a mobile money account, the highest share of any region
mobile money users do not protect their phone with a password
Source: World Bank, Global Findex Database 2025. Figures for 2024.
Six stages, from national priorities to national scale.
Every stage ends with a decision to continue or stop. A pilot that does not meet the safeguards bar stops, and its lessons are published.
Expression of interest
A ministry, regulator or agency shares its national priorities with us. Together we judge whether a pilot can serve them.
Policy clinics
We work with the regulator on the framework, the safeguards and the consumer redress the pilot needs.
Co-designed pilot
Partners, stakeholders and the Consortium design the pilot around the national priorities. Members contribute according to their tier.
Infrastructure build
We build the digital public-private infrastructure with the regulator, who validates every component and service. Defy Ventures can supply missing components.
Safeguards review
An independent check confirms that protections work before anything scales.
National roll-out
Proven pilots become standards, playbooks and investment-ready plans. The infrastructure is then transferred to the state.
What each pilot draws on.
Every pilot can draw on two parts of the Defy group.
Defy Institute brings three capabilities, from systemic research to service design and programme delivery. The Consortium calls on them where a pilot needs them.
Systemic Action Research
Maps the system behind exclusion, from people’s behaviours to rules, institutions and technologies. Delivers a blueprint of the behaviours, policies and technologies needed to reach a better state.
Inclusion UX Lab
Designs and tests services with the people they are meant for, including women, gig workers and micro-retailers.
Initiatives & Programmes
Runs inclusive finance initiatives for international agencies, foundations and charities, and measures what changes for people.
Defy Ventures develops five core technology solutions for inclusive finance infrastructure. Regulators decide whether they are used in a pilot.
- Circular Financial Identity (CFI)
- Global Unified Ledger (GUL)
- Peer micro-entrepreneurship platform
- Financial literacy programme
- Decentralised development fund
Bring your national priorities.
Ministries, regulators and international agencies can start with an expression of interest. We come back with how a pilot could serve your country.