BudgetByte #3: Can governments make digital payments to citizens 'smarter'?
Description
The ability to make timely government-to-person (G2P) payments allowed some governments to be more responsive than others during the COVID-19 pandemic. These digital capabilities remain highly relevant as we enter a challenging era characterised by economic shocks, including climate change. In this context, there is growing demand to improve the speed and efficiency of the way payments are administered and made by governments.
This webinar will showcase lessons from three case studies of spending programmes that provide money to individuals. In India’s Odisha state, a technology called MUKTASoft has recently been trialled to deliver faster and frictionless payments to support urban livelihoods. We will also hear about the administration of Universal Credit, the UK’s main income support scheme, and learn about GiveDirectly’s programmes to support victims of flooding in Nigeria and Mozambique.
The aim of the webinar is to consider the possibilities of 'smarter' payments systems to improve spending outcomes. We will consider questions including:
1. What could the role of ‘smarter’ payments be in strengthening the G2P payments infrastructure many countries are developing?
2. What lessons can be drawn from the early examples of 'smart payments' systems on their contributions to better public spending outcomes?
This is the third event in the BudgetByte webinar series from ODI’s Digital Public Finance Hub that explores government capabilities to bring public finance into the digital era. We welcome participants interested in learning about the latest developments in digital public finance and service delivery.
Important information for attendees
This event is online only and will take place from 13:00-14:00 GMT.
Speakers
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Nicholas Gates
Co-Lead – Digital Public Finance Hub, ODI/Public Digital
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Prashanth Chandramouleeswaran
Associate Director, eGov Foundation
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Gareth Clarridge
Lead Product Manager at UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
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Anant Jayant Natu
Associate Partner at Microsave – Financial Inclusion Consulting