Author: Greyford C Mwase
Project Lead at Payments Association of Zambia
It goes without a shred of doubt that collaboration serves as a tool for driving financial inclusion globally, and multisectoral initiatives bridge the chasm in underserved areas. This is not void of risks, this is why regulation exists to play a significant role in mitigating risks in various industries, including the financial sector, in the context of Collaborative Digital Financial Services (DFS) and its regulatory framework, several aspects contribute to risk mitigation including the following:
A. Risk Management Requirements
Collaborative DFS providers can enhance their ability to identify and mitigate potential risks by complying with standards including identification and assessment of risks such as operational, cybersecurity, and credit risks. The regulation requires financial institutions to put in place resilient practices as far as risk management is concerned.
B. Compliance Standards
Regulations establish the standards of compliance to which financial institutions must adhere, and the standards often include guidelines for risk management practices, data security, customer protection, and operational procedures. This fits in the collaborative DFS regulatory framework in that although regulation is not the starting point of collaboration, it is foundational in providing controls, best practices, and general Jurisprudence of DFS collaboration.
C. Consumer Protection
Regulatory frameworks often include measures to protect consumers. This may involve setting clear guidelines on disclosure of terms and conditions, ensuring fair and transparent pricing, and safeguarding customer data. This protection helps build trust in collaborative DFS platforms and reduce the risk of harm to consumers.
These, and more, guarantee foresight and oversight in safeguarding the complex nature of DFS collaborations.
