Scaling Agent Viability & Quality in India

The Scaling Agent Viability and Quality in India project is a pan-India initiative focused on enhancing the scalability, viability, gender sensitivity, and quality of Business Correspondent (BC) agent networks within the inclusive finance sector. Over three years, the project aims to expand product offerings at BC points, improve liquidity management, increase the presence of agents in underserved areas, and boost women’s participation in BC networks. By strengthening the ecosystem, the project seeks to broaden the reach of BC models and provide improved financial services to underprivileged communities. This project is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

Category	Details
Geography	Pan-India (Rural & Underserved Areas)
Objectives & Outcomes	Objective 1: Business Correspondent Network Managers (BCNMs) scale up product offering to increase agent viability: Outcome: Agents provide a diverse range of products, prioritizing women and rural low-income households Objective 2: Large agent networks in India offer quality services to underserved communities: Outcomes: Expand in underserved area; Liquidity Management at agent level; Grievance Redressal Mechanism Objective 3: Increased women’s participation in BC agent’s networks Increase access for women customers to a wider array of products and services
Achievements	GIS based dashboard – Our team is working on the GIS based dashboard for BCNM leadership to make data based decisions for expansion into underserved areas. QR Based Merchant Acquisition – We have established the QR based merchant acquisition model through BC agents as a channel for pushing digital transactions in rural India. Customer centric approach – We’re also working with the BCNM partners to increase customer focus through the concept of customer centricity by expanding product offerings at BC points and training. Knowledge Management – In the last two years, we have published reports and knowledge products on the topics such as women agents and product offerings for the wider adoption in industry.

Our Impact