NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

The idea of “financial inclusion” can seem abstract or difficult to comprehend until you put a human face on it. The picture gallery below does just that, showcasing the ingenuity, struggles and resilience of the world’s poorest populations. Each year, photographers from around the world show us their take on financial inclusion by entering a photography competition run by the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), which is based at the World Bank. CGAP’s mission is to help improve the lives of those living in poverty by making it easier for them to access formal financial services.

The winner of the 2013 CGAP Photo Contest is a compelling black and white shot by Vietnamese photographer Truong Minh Dien. Called “Rainy Afternoon”, it captures a woman at dawn who is struggling against the elements to carry a heavy load of sweet potatoes to sell in a local market.