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Study Overview

The digital economy presents a significant opportunity for youth to engage in meaningful work and microwork. Despite its rapid expansion, little research to date documents its impacts or the gendered experiences of gig work. This study seeks to understand how digital financial inclusion, training and skill development opportunities, and the gig economy impact the labor market outcomes of youth and women, and financial inclusion.

Intervention Partner: Mercy Corps

IBSI Funding Acknowledgement: Lab for Inclusive FinTech (LIFT)

News & media

The Potential of Cryptocurrency for Kenya’s Youth

Feburary 16, 2022

Mercy Corps Venture's pilot uncovered clear insights into the positive impact of digital stablecoins and mobile wallets on easing frictions and reducing costs in cross-border payments for un/underemployed youth microworkers in Kenya. This is only one of innumerable use cases for stablecoins’ transformative potential. For example, Kenya hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Africa, estimated at around 520,000 refugees and asylum seekers