As digital financial services become increasingly integrated into daily life, entrepreneurs are gaining new opportunities to access credit, manage payments, and grow their businesses. Yet for many micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), navigating digital financial tools safely and confidently remains a challenge.
Through the Digital Philippines Inclusive, Competitive and Responsible Digitalization (Digital PINAS) joint programme, the United Nations is supporting a new approach to financial education that meets entrepreneurs where they are: on their mobile phones.
Implemented by UNDP, ILO, and ITC in partnership with the Government of the Philippines, the initiative is developing a mobile-first learning system designed to help entrepreneurs strengthen financial decision-making, borrow responsibly, and protect themselves from online fraud.
Why a New Approach to Financial Education?
Digital financial services are expanding rapidly across the Philippines. From digital payments to online lending platforms, financial transactions are increasingly taking place through mobile devices.
While access has grown, many entrepreneurs continue to face challenges understanding financial products, comparing lending options, managing repayments, and identifying online scams. Traditional financial literacy programmes often struggle to reach people at the moment decisions are actually being made.
The Digital PINAS initiative seeks to bridge this gap by delivering practical financial guidance directly through mobile phones and widely used messaging platforms.
Learning at the Moment It Matters Most
Rather than relying solely on workshops or classroom-based training, the new model provides short, accessible lessons that can support entrepreneurs during key financial moments.
Whether applying for a loan, receiving a digital payment, managing business expenses, or evaluating borrowing options, users receive practical guidance designed to reinforce informed decision-making when it is most relevant.
The approach combines financial planning, budgeting, responsible borrowing, digital payments, and fraud prevention into bite-sized learning modules that can be accessed on demand.
Building Financial Confidence in a Digital Economy
The initiative also responds to emerging challenges associated with digitalization, including online fraud, cybersecurity risks, and the growing use of digital lending services.
By combining financial literacy with digital safety awareness, the programme aims to help entrepreneurs build confidence while participating in an increasingly digital economy.
The model is designed to complement existing financial inclusion efforts and strengthen the broader ecosystem connecting government institutions, financial service providers, business networks, and entrepreneurs.
Shaped Through Partnership
The initiative has been refined through consultations with government agencies, financial institutions, business organizations, development partners, and entrepreneur groups across the Philippines.
Their contributions have helped strengthen the programme's focus on accessibility, inclusion, and practical application, ensuring the learning experience responds to the realities faced by diverse groups of entrepreneurs.
Supporting Inclusive Digital Transformation
Digital PINAS supports efforts to address policy, regulatory, and systemic barriers to digital inclusion in the Philippines.
By connecting digitalization with practical skills, financial resilience, and informed decision-making, the programme is helping create conditions where entrepreneurs can benefit more fully from the opportunities of the digital economy.
As preparations move forward for pilot implementation, the initiative offers a promising example of how digital transformation can be paired with the knowledge and support people need to navigate it successfully.
Originally published by ILO Manila.
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds, and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
