COVID-19 impact and solutions in emerging markets

Social distancing and lockdown measures have become the new reality for many across the globe in light of COVID-19. However, the effect of the resulting economic crisis has been far from uniform.

View survey results

The team at BFA Global has been monitoring the impact of the financial crisis on low-income communities in developing and some developed countries. With our team of consultants spread across geographies, we are in a unique position to evaluate the effects of the pandemic, and solutions being deployed, on the ground in the markets where we work. Scroll down for insights, research results and recommended steps as we begin to move toward recovery.

Dipstick surveys: the financial impact of COVID-19 on low-income populations 

 Beginning in April 2020, BFA Global, with support from Metlife Foundation and FSD Zambia, conducted a series of rapid dipstick surveys to determine the financial impact of the pandemic on low-income families and MSEs across Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, India, the US, the UK, Mexico, Vietnam and Zambia, over time.

Impact on MSEs in Mexico, Vietnam and Zambia

Released in July 2020, this dashboard highlights changes in revenue faced by MSEs, reported needs necessary for growth, changes in their business, adverse effects of the pandemic and more.

 

View dashboard

Overall impact on MSEs in Mexico

As part of the FinnSalud project, this dashboard dives deeper into data gathered from MSEs in Mexico to determine areas of greatest impact from the economic crisis, and predictions for recovery and survival rates in the coming months.

View English   |  Ver Español

Wave 3 survey results

The dashboard aggregates responses from low-income populations across 9 markets, following on our first 2 surveys, to determine how their lives have been impacted during the peak of the crisis.

 

View dashboard

COVID-19 diaries with FSD Kenya

The BFA Global team, together with FSD Kenya, conducted  interviews with previous Financial Diaries participants to understand how low-income Kenyans are coping with the impact of COVID-19 in their lives. Read what they had to say about the impact of the pandemic

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We would like to thank all contributors along with our team of editors – BFA Global CEO Amolo Ng’weno, Catalyst Fund Head of Learnings and Insights Malika Anand, and Communications Manager Nasozi Kakembo – who have been quick to analyze impact and produce insights in an effort to inform the wider ecosystem during these testing and uncertain times.

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Kenya Financial Diaries: COVID-19

This section features insights from the Financial Diaries research conducted with FSD Kenya in an effort to evaluate how low-income Kenyans are coping with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis in their lives.

 

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Webinar Recap: The impact of COVID-19 on Financial Diaries respondents in Kenya

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Corona Case Studies: Running out of options

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Back to an empty market

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Corona Case Studies: Lost without church

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If the coronavirus doesn’t kill you…

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“Our love has grown more”
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“Our love has grown more”

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Corona Case Studies: Kibarua crunch
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Corona Case Studies: Kibarua crunch

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Corona Case Studies: Should I stay, or should I go?
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Corona Case Studies: Should I stay, or should I go?

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Shamba bora (fertile farmland), Shamba la mawe (rocky farmland)
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Shamba bora (fertile farmland), Shamba la mawe (rocky farmland)

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Dilemmas of distancing
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Dilemmas of distancing

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Corona Case Studies: Mountains Beyond Mountains
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Corona Case Studies: Mountains Beyond Mountains

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The costs of coping with Coronavirus
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The costs of coping with Coronavirus

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Corona Case Studies: “If I had food, I would close the shop”
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Corona Case Studies: “If I had food, I would close the shop”

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Corona Case Studies: Loss of Income, Loss of Pride

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