Peru’s National Policy on Financial Inclusion and Its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal I

Ticona Machaca A.; Gutiérrez Castillo F.H.; Turpo Aliaga B.; Cano Ccoa D.M.; Yucra Quispe R.; Cahuana Sánchez J.H.; Duran Ttito C.N.; Malaga Yllpa Y.; Silva Flores L.J.; Callupe Cueva P.C. · Sustainability (Switzerland) (2024) · DOI: 10.3390/su16104151

Resumen

This article analyzes the implementation of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) and its alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) I: Eradicate poverty. Despite the progress achieved, structural gaps persist and substantially limit the NFIS’s contribution to poverty reduction, especially among rural, indigenous, extreme poverty, and other vulnerable groups. The article employs a mixed methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative techniques. On the qualitative side, a hermeneutic documentary analysis of the NFIS and related regulations was carried out, with a critical textual interpretation supported by specialized software. Quantitatively, descriptive statistical techniques were applied to analyze official financial inclusion indicators—methodological integration was achieved through analytical triangulation under a concurrent mixed methods approach. The progress of initiatives under the NFIS was evaluated, identifying limitations such as the digital divide in rural areas, limited financing for Micro and Small Enterprises, gaps in financial education, and growing exposure to digital fraud. Although the NFIS promotes greater access to financial services, it does not explicitly focus on the poorest and most excluded populations. Therefore, it is recommended that the objectives and indicators of the NFIS be reformulated to focus on universal access and effective use of financial services by the population in extreme poverty and chronic exclusion. In addition, a strategic articulation with social protection policies is necessary, as well as promoting culturally relevant microfinance and inclusive finance models, strengthening consumer protection, and consolidating public–private alliances in high-poverty areas. Finally, strong monitoring and accountability are also key.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco; Universidad Nacional del Altiplano; Universidad Nacional de Juliaca; Universidad Nacional de San Martín; Universidad Andina del Cusco; Universidad Nacional Intercultural de la Selva Central Juan Santos Atahualpa; Universidad Peruana Unión