National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2016-2020.

The National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2016-2020 aims to enable in-depth analysis of barriers to financial inclusion and identify and implement coordinated initiatives. The Strategy incorporates a financial inclusion measurement framework which defines key performance indicators that facilitate accurate diagnosis of the state of financial inclusion, identification of existing barriers, strategy design, target setting, crafting of effective policies, monitoring, and policy impact analysis. The Strategy defines financial inclusion, namely "The effective use of a wide range of quality, affordable & accessible financial services, provided in a fair and transparent manner through formal/regulated entities, by all Zimbabweans”.
The NFIS evolves around four main pillars: financial innovation (the Strategy seeks to improve access to financial services by leveraging on advancements in information technology and developing suitable financial products for varied financial consumers); financial literacy (financial literacy programs will enable consumers of financial products and services to acquire knowledge, skills, attitude and behavior that promote awareness of financial opportunities, thereby facilitating informed choices in line with consumers’ circumstances); financial consumer protection (the strategy promotes consumers’ trust and confidence in the financial system, particularly among the low-income households, healthy competition, responsible pricing and better products for the consumers) and microfinance.
The key priority of the NFIS are identified on the base of the consideration that some segments of the population remain financially excluded from mainstream financial services and products. These include low income households, women, youths, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and people living in the rural areas compared to urban centers. Activities include: Development of programmes aimed at capacitating MSMEs and enhance their entrepreneurial and financial skills to effectively and efficiently manage their businesses. This will include financial literacy and training in critical areas such as cashflow management, tax and corporate governance; Facilitate enhanced participation of women in the development of the country, through giving priority to potential women entrepreneurs in respect of MSME credit disbursement; Strengthen women entrepreneurs’ human capital by developing appropriate entrepreneurial education and training opportunities; Improving financial access in rural areas by ensuring the building of sustainable financial institutions and increased presence of formal financial institutions in the rural communities; Small-Scale Agriculture Financing by addressing identified deficiencies of targeted financing schemes for agriculture and rural areas previously implemented in the country; Funding Package for Agriculture; Incorporation of financial literacy programs for the youth in the National Financial Literacy Strategy; Establishment of a youth empowerment window by all financial institutions that develop innovative products which address the special needs of youth.