Publication: Access to Financial Services in Zambia
Date
2006-11
ISSN
Published
2006-11
Author(s)
de Luna Martínez, José
Abstract
Despite the deep financial sector reforms undertaken in Zambia in the early 1990s, the expected benefits of establishing a market-based banking system has not materialized. In 2005 the banking system continued to be small and underdeveloped. Credit to the private sector by banks represented only 8 percent of GDP in 2005, which is slightly lower than the level registered in 1990. As in the early 1990s, only large corporations and a few small- and medium-size enterprises have access to credit in 2006. Moreover, less than 8 percent of Zambia's adult population had a bank account in 2005. And despite the open door policy to foreign financial institutions, which has been in place since Zambia's independence, only a few new banking products have been introduced by foreign banks to serve the needs of households and firms. This paper analyzes the factors that have prevented the development of a large and inclusive banking system in Zambia and highlights possible actions that may help improve access to finance in Zambia in both the short and long terms.
Citation
“de Luna Martínez, José. 2006. Access to Financial Services in Zambia. Policy Research Working Paper; No. 4061. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/417bd3d6-9dd2-5171-a51c-e9f841325be2 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
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