How to Use this Guide

The guide is organized around the Agency’s Program Cycle with additional information in the introductory section on basic definitions, context, and available trainings. Also included before the program cycle sections is “Make the Case” — the importance of digital financial services for all sectors to help you build support for this work either in new or existing activities. We recommended readers skim through the document in sequential order rather than jumping right to the program cycle. 

Digital payments are the default method of payment under all USAID awards since this 2014 procurement executive’s bulletin. By and large, awardees have met this requirement through individual efforts or requested an exception due to the level of development of financial services in-country. 

In some countries, USAID implements activities that have improved the overall financial sector and payments environment to facilitate digital payments. This makes it easier for our implementing partners to meet the requirement for digital payments. USAID can leverage the aggregate demand of its implementing partners for digital payments as another incentive or push for positive change in partner countries. USAID Washington conducted a survey in 2020 to identify the barriers implementing partners commonly face in adopting digital payments. This document can be utilized by all OUs as a starting point. Our implementing partners can be a source of information on the daily experience of using a country’s digital payment system.

Most of the documents in this guide are geared towards a stand alone financial sector activity that benefits all sectors. Embedding digital financial services in awards in other sectors is possible if that is the best approach for your specific situation. “MAKE THE CASE - Digital as Cross Cutting” provides some ideas if this is the best avenue.