When digital payments unlock access to credit: New evidence from firms in 101 economies Davide S. MareSubika Farazi February 24, 2026 This page in: English © 2026 World Bank Group,

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/allaboutfinance/when-digital-payments-unlock-access-to-credit--new-evidence-from Access to credit remains one of the most persistent constraints faced by firms—especially small and young ones—in developing economies. Despite decades of financial sector reforms, as of 2025 more than one in seven formal firms worldwide still struggled to obtain external finance, and nearly one in four reported unfavorable loan terms. At the same time, digital payment systems have expanded rapidly, transforming how firms transact with customers and suppliers. Can these two trends be connected? © 2026 World Bank Group, https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/search