The King Is (Not) Dead – Why Digital Payments Are Not Replacing Cash

Abstract

The MAP Global Insights series consolidates and synthesises the learnings from MAP across the MAP pilot countries. The first of the MAP Global Insights products comprises five thematic cross-country notes plus a concluding note, based on the initial round of findings from the country diagnostic studies, which have been conducted in Thailand, Myanmar, Swaziland, Mozambique, Lesotho and Malawi.

Note 5 focuses on cash as a payment instrument to explore the largely undiminished popularity of cash. The different payment needs of consumers are introduced, analysed and compared with regard to the use of cash versus digital instruments.

Keywords: Financial inclusion, digital payments, mobile money, payments

JEL Classification: H5, H4, A1