Today, most Africans – well over 50 percent – live on less than $2 a day. Moreover, all of the 21 countries listed in the United Nations’ low human development ranking are in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there are several positive signs: More than 35 percent of Africans live in economies that have seen sustained growth of more than 4 percent a year for the last 10 years, setting the stage for many Africans to enjoy a better life. However, the continent is still under-served by financial services. The cost of bringing microfinance services to Africa is higher than in other regions.
