Mastercard's analysis of financial inclusion for people with disabilities (PWDs) in the Middle East and Africa emphasizes the 2016 UAE bank initiative as a model for overcoming accessibility barriers. The study, Bridging the Disability Gap: An Opportunity to Make a Positive Impact, highlights how digital solutions can address systemic challenges preventing 15% of the global population—approximately one billion people—from independent banking.
Umar Hashmi, Mastercard's Vice President of Global Product and Engineering, stated the company aligns its efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which prioritizes accessibility through partnerships and products designed to 'leave no one behind.' The report notes that one billion people, or 15% of the world's population, experience some form of disability, making them the largest minority group globally.
Barriers include physical constraints in accessing financial institutions, with 28% of banks in developed countries and 8-64% in emerging economies deemed inaccessible to PWDs, according to a 2019 UN report. The UAE's 2016 Disability Friendly Branch project by Emirates NBD demonstrates scalable solutions, integrating infrastructure, technology, and services to enhance accessibility. The bank trained 2,100 staff in Disability Equality Training and American Sign Language as part of this initiative.
Mastercard's research underscores the need to bridge smartphone ownership and digital literacy gaps in low- and middle-income countries. While 62% of adults with disabilities in the region own mobile phones, only 21% have smartphones. Emerging technologies like AI and IoT, when delivered through apps and web services, could address these disparities, the report concludes.
