Across the region, the share of adults with a financial account has risen from 50% in 2017 to about 70% in 2024, according to the Global Findex 2025. Today, more than half of these account holders access financial services digitally, driven by the rapid digitalization of the sector and the emergence of a dynamic fintech ecosystem. These innovations specifically target low-income populations, delivering basic financial solutions that have long been out of reach for underserved communities. 

Job creation is one of the main indicators of a healthy economy. However, in Latin America and the Caribbean, where over half the labor force is informal, creating quality jobs is a significant challenge. Development finance institutions such as IDB Invest are instrumental in addressing this issue by financing projects that drive sustainable growth through the private sector.

Right at the intersection of public interest and private investments, we find the non-sovereign development finance institutions. They often operate in high-risk environments and under ambitious mandates to drive private sector-led growth. 

At the same time, these institutions face the challenge of promoting robust reporting standards while protecting clients’ commercially sensitive information, which is critical for business development.

The telecommunications and digital technologies sector has a great opportunity to contribute to sectors such as energy, transportation, and industry in two ways: through digitization and efficiency. 

This dual opportunity positions digital connectivity as an essential tool for advancing efficiency and security in energy supply, both in Latin America and the Caribbean and worldwide.