Financial System Supervisory Authority of Bolivia sets guidelines for a new National Financial Inclusion Strategy with digital payments and expansion to all 336 municipalities

The Financial System Supervisory Authority of Bolivia (ASFI) published guidelines to serve as the basis for drafting a new National Financial Inclusion Strategy (ENIF), positioning the programme as a roadmap to modernise Bolivia’s financial system with a focus on equity, security and access for all population segments. The guidelines were developed with the Ministry of Economy and Public Finance, the Central Bank of Bolivia, the Pension and Insurance Supervisory and Control Authority and the Financial Investigations Unit, with technical support from UN Women and the German Sparkassenstiftung. The proposed pillars prioritise digital transformation to reduce geographic barriers, including the expansion of QR-code payments and secure mobile wallets aimed at young people, women entrepreneurs and rural producers. They also emphasise financial education and consumer protection, and incorporate a gender lens intended to address long-standing inequalities by supporting women with credit and savings products aligned to life-cycle needs. The guidelines further set an objective to extend services to all 336 municipalities through physical and digital channels adapted to Bolivia’s cultural and linguistic diversity. ASFI set out a five-stage technical process for building the ENIF, including working groups with prioritised segments and a national survey of financial capabilities between March and June. A final document is to be consolidated for approval via a Supreme Decree and then socialised with civil society, while ASFI plans close follow-up to ensure financial institutions adapt their services and maintain heightened attention to cybersecurity and consumer rights.