Digital Frontiers

Financial inclusion starts before mobile money.

Explore how, Derrick Sekiziyivu, Digital Frontiers Institute alum, draws on his experience leading Airtel Uganda franchise operations to challenge a common assumption in digital finance.

Before people can transact, save, or receive remittances, they need something more fundamental: a registered SIM card and reliable network coverage.

The article explores:

Why SIM cards are the first step into the digital economy

How gaps in network coverage continue to limit access, particularly in rural communities

The role of the broader ecosystem, from agents to distributors, in scaling mobile money

Why expanding connectivity should be treated as financial inclusion infrastructure

Derrick also highlights the wider impact. Without reliable access, essential services, from remittances to school fees and healthcare, remain out of reach for many.

Read the full blog: https://ow.ly/OYjf50ZzKXg

Being headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa means we get to celebrate women twice.

We're fortunate to celebrate women not only on International Women's Day, but again on our National Women's Day, a reminder of the extraordinary contribution women continue to make to our workplaces, our economy and our future.

At Digital Frontiers, we believe lasting change begins by strengthening people and institutions. Every day, we see women advancing that mission across our team, our global community, our partners and our Board.

If you asked a hundred people to describe women in one word, you'd probably get a hundred different answers. Every word tells part of the story. This National Women's Day, our team chose one word to describe women. Together, those words paint a picture that no single definition ever could.

Happy National Women's Day to the women who lead, challenge, create, inspire and continue to move our world forward.

Every Digital Public Infrastructure system is built on three foundational layers. Most professionals understand the concept, but far fewer understand how the identity layer actually works.

If you're designing, funding, regulating or implementing DPI, understanding the identity layer isn't just helpful, it's essential.

We're excited to launch Digital Public Infrastructure Essentials: The Identity Layer, a brand-new course from Digital Frontiers Institute. Designed for DPI builders, funders, regulators and policymakers, this four-week course provides a comprehensive foundation in digital identity as a core layer of DPI.

The course also includes live sessions with technical experts from the Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure.

Participants will learn to:
- Define the core language and concepts of digital identity
- Understand how digital identity functions within the DPI stack
- Compare public, private and hybrid digital ID models
- Evaluate digital ID schemes against current good practice and DPI safeguard frameworks
- Develop or critique digital identity strategies that balance inclusion, risk and responsible deployment

This course follows on from our Introduction to Digital Public Infrastructure (iDPI) course as the next step in the Digital Public Infrastructure learning journey. While iDPI is not a prerequisite for enrolment, some knowledge or familiarity with DPI is advised.

📅 Starts: 26 October 2026

🔗Learn more: https://ow.ly/9xCF50ZuEHa

🎉Early Bird Offer: Enrol by 30 September 2026 and receive 20% off your course fee using code SAL_26DPI20ID.

Join the inaugural cohort and strengthen your understanding of digital identity within the Digital Public Infrastructure ecosystem.

Instant payment systems are changing how money moves. The challenge is making sure they work for everyone.

The Regulating and Governing Instant and Inclusive Payment Systems course focuses on how policy and regulation shape the design of real-time payment systems. It looks at what enables interoperability, inclusion and trust in national payment infrastructures.
You will explore how existing regulatory frameworks influence system design, what needs to change to support inclusive outcomes and how shared payment infrastructure is governed in practice.

The course also covers international standards, policy options, regulatory reform and the balance between collaboration and competition in payment ecosystems.

Start: 10 September | Duration: 8 weeks | Language: English | Technical Expert: Souraya Sbeih

🔗 Enrol now: https://ow.ly/E6Ig50ZuaPK

Learn more: https://ow.ly/YK7E50ZuaPL

What’s shaping digital finance across Africa right now?

The July edition of Further the Frontiers brings together perspectives, signals and milestones from across the Digital Frontiers Institute community.

This month, we look at the systems and shifts defining the landscape:
- In his article, Derrick Sekiziyivu, Alum, reflects on why SIM cards remain foundational to financial inclusion, drawing on his experience at Airtel Uganda
- Todd Malone, CEO of Digital Frontiers, shares insights from the Africa Payments & RegTech Forum on the shift from Open Banking to Open Finance and what it means for sustainable, commercially viable ecosystems
- Brian Rwehabura, Alum, and George Gumikiriza examine why mobile money continues to define Africa’s payments landscape
- Our latest masterclass with Robert Karanja focuses on building secure, inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure through digital identity and real-time payments

We also reflect on the work of our alumni, across global institutions, policy environments and local markets, shaping the future of digital finance in meaningful ways.

From industry insight to community impact, this edition speaks to the growing depth and reach of the Digital Frontiers Institute network.

Read the latest edition: https://ow.ly/oZvq50Zua1C

Subscribe to stay informed: https://ow.ly/Mg9t50Zua1F

Calling All Digital Frontiers Institute Alumni | Lead a Masterclass!

Are you a Digital Frontiers Institute alumnus with deep knowledge in Inclusive Digital Finance and Digital Economies? We’re looking for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to lead dynamic discussions in our Masterclass series!

This is your opportunity to:
- Share your expertise with a global community
- Contribute to thought leadership in the digital finance space
- Inspire and engage the next generation of professionals

If you’re passionate about shaping the future of digital finance and ready to share your insights, we’d love to hear from you.

🔗 Nominate yourself today: https://ow.ly/X4RL50ZtBLi

One of the unique features of our Introduction to Digital Public Infrastructure (iDPI) course is the DPI Use Case Challenge, delivered in partnership with the Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI).

Participants are invited to develop and pitch a DPI use case that addresses a real challenge within their current role, organisation or country context. Whether you work in government, financial services, digital transformation, regulation or development, the focus is on designing solutions that can move beyond ideas and into implementation.

The challenge encourages participants to apply the concepts explored throughout the course to practical, real-world opportunities in both the public and private sectors. For the top teams, the journey does not end with the final submission.

Opportunities include:

• Mentorship and guidance from CDPI experts to further develop your idea

• Support in exploring potential pathways to implementation and funding

• The possibility of being considered for a learning exchange and immersion opportunity in India, should your project demonstrate meaningful progress toward implementation

Watch the video below to hear more from Lidya Sefefe, Country Operations Associate, Africa at CDPI, about the challenge and why practical implementation matters.

📅 Enrolments close: 20 August 2026

🔗Learn more and enrol: https://ow.ly/shTJ50ZtBkY