Digicel Vanuatu and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) convened a retrospective 'lessons learned' session to mark the successful completion of their landmark Digital Financial Ecosystem Project – an initiative that represents a significant milestone in advancing financial inclusion across Vanuatu. The collaboration has grown the MyCash mobile wallet exponentially, financially empowering thousands of Ni-Vanuatu through digital financial services access, particularly in rural areas.

The collaborative project was initiated with the ambitious goal of making MyCash a reputable and widely used digital wallet. The project has been able to overcome deep-rooted challenges to financial inclusion, such as cash dependence, low merchant adoption and low digital literacy. Through the focus on onboarding local merchants, building an active user base, and raising general awareness of digital financial tools, the project has made a direct contribution to Vanuatu’s national financial inclusion goals as well as economic empowerment through technology.

Digicel Vanuatu CEO, Gary Sue-Fong, stated; “Digital finance truly comes to life when it’s inclusive, trusted and used actively. Together with UNCDF, Digicel Vanuatu has demonstrated that Vanuatu is not only ready but is thriving with a digital financial system that truly empowers all. The success of this project reflects the power of such partnerships in delivering real, positive change and presents a compelling model for future innovations in digital finance.”

UNCDF’s Country Coordinator – Vanuatu, Asad-Ur-Rahman, stated; “Our collaboration with Digicel Vanuatu has shown that such partnerships can drive real impact when grounded in local context. Together, we’ve made financial services more accessible, more inclusive, and more empowering for Ni-Vanuatu communities.”

This project’s success underscores Digicel Vanuatu’s leadership of Vanuatu’s digital financial space – it not only provides an essential service to the unbanked, but has also furthered confidence in the MyCash as a means to enable an increasing digitally connected and financially inclusive future for all Ni-Vanuatu.

The project was supported by the Pacific Digital Economy Programme, a joint initiative of UNCDF and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), with backing from the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and the European Union.